- THE SPORTZ ASSASSIN argues that the NFL should let Michael Vick play.

- ON 205TH lists 10 reasons why David Ortiz is struggling.

- Will Leitch of DEADSPIN writes about why the NBA Draft Lottery is so great. DEADSPIN also compares a 2003 column by Rick Reilly to a 2009 column by Rick Reilly.

- Brooks of SPORTSbyBROOKS isn’t happy that a somewhat prominent radio host mentioned his blog on the air. Now he’s thinking about shutting his site down.

- SPORTSBYBROOKS has photos of the Playboy bunny that Andrew Bynum was photographed carrying around on his shoulders and the third one is…outstanding. Laker fans should feel good about Bynum’s workout regimen — there’s no doubt that he’ll be back at 100% for a playoff run.

- YARDBARKER has video of Andrew Bynum hula hooping with a couple of playmates.

- Will Leitch over at DEADSPIN brings us his “Ten Humans of the Week” column, though I don’t agree with his take on Gus Johnson.

- LARRY BROWN SPORTS says that DeJuan Blair has a backup plan if professional basketball doesn’t work out.

- SPORTS CRACKLE POP has a photo of Tim Tebow’s new gal pal.

- With the Australian Open in full swing, THE LOVE OF SPORTS provides 10 reasons to watch the WTA. Ashley Harkleroad (right) is reason #10.

- Brooks of SPORTSbyBROOKS describes his experience at the Lakers/Cavs game on Monday night.

- Will Leitch of DEADSPIN gives his thoughts about the fact that his favorite NFL team — the Arizona Cardinals — has made the Super Bowl.

- How did Rod Marinelli get back at the Detroit press? PRO FOOTBALL TALK has the answer.

- Former dope dealer Kirk Radomski says that he has no doubt that Roger Clemens is “delusional.” DEADSPIN has the details.

…and didn’t have much luck.

Strip clubs are not about decadence, or fantasy, or even commerce. They are, at their core, about interaction. The dance is not delicate, or disguised. This is not a place where someone can be left alone. You might say that is the point. I might say that I’m trying to watch the game here, and if I desire a word with you, trust me, I will beckon.

Life is full of senseless, empty conversations. We all go through them every day, inventing vague generalities uttered only to end this conversation as soon as possible. Even if you are someone that I like, transferring interaction from Meet to Converse to Mutual Understanding requires an effort that neither of us are willing to put forth. Nothing personal. There’s just so much to do. I’ve got a lot on my mind. So do you. Perhaps there will be a time, friend, when you and I break bread and meld minds. For now, however, I am predisposed. Forgive me.

A strip club, even one as welcoming, clean and hospitable as Rick’s Cabaret, is a minefield of these senseless, empty conversations. At least in the real world, people have the good horsesense to resist sitting right down at the table, unsolicited, and launching into banalities. I know that I am here, and that my presence implies an invitation. I wish it did not, and that I could convey it somehow. Perhaps a sign would help. It is a very important game.

Read the rest over at Deadspin. Also, be sure to check out the post by his partner-in-crime that night, Daulerio.

I haven’t been to a strip club in a long, long time, but my policy was always to tell the girl up front that I wasn’t going in the back room for a lap dance. The response would usually go one of three directions: 1) they’d say “thank you” and move on to a better target, 2) they would see my response as a challenge, pretend they weren’t interested in getting me to pay for a lap dance, and then 15 minutes later proceed to ask me again if I wanted one, or 3) they would find my honesty oddly refreshing and kill their boredom and hatred for their job by actually sitting down and getting to know me.