The results are in!

Election night was kind. Winners, the lot of them....

Heath Shuler - In 1993, he finished 2nd in Heisman voting. Then he flamed out in the NFL. But the former Volunteer QB won last night, following in the footsteps of Jack Kemp and Steve Largent into the political arena. Weird, this is actually an election story. At any rate, congrats to Shuler and the Dems for ostensibly championing the checks and balances our nation has relied upon. Hopefully, he has a better record in Washington as a member of congress than he did as a Redskin. (Oh no, I did'un!)

Lakers - The most impressive thing about Andrew Bynum's line last night wasn't his 20 points, 14 boards, or 3 blocks (one of which put a nail in the T-Wolves coffin). No, it was his 0 turnovers and 0 fouls. Granted, the kid wasn't going to get much flak going against Mark Blount, of all people, but it's encouraging to see that kind of poise. What's troubling, though, is that the Lakers are developing a nasty tick: inability to close out games. Last Friday, they blew a 20-point lead against the Sonics, only to salvage a win late in the 4th quarter. Then, after getting blown out at Seattle, the exact same thing happens last night. The Lakers were up by as much as 19 in the 3rd quarter and again allowed their beaten opponent to crawl back into the game. Here's the big red flag: neither Seattle nor Minnesota are any good. Coach Phillip is going to have to instill some drills where the team has to stomp on the neck of a rabid puppy, just to make sure it stays down. Solve this problem now, or else it will haunt us down the road.

Sean Avery - The LA Kings sparkplug was voted #1 Star by NHL.com for his 2-goal effort last night as the Kings downed the hated Avs in a 6-5 shootout (not an actual shootout, I mean a high scoring ga-- whatever). Important win for a team so low on confidence (we just got lit up by lowly Phoenix 6-4 on Saturday) and a positive note to end a road trip on. Up next: San Jose on Thursday. Let's just say that I wouldn't be surprised if Joe Thornton had 7 points in that game.

Southend - People in England are quick to dismiss the League Cup when talking football -- err, soccer, labeling it an "unimportant" trophy. To me, a trophy is a trophy and in a sport where your club is measured by the size of their medal collection, I'd say the Carling Cup is worth winning. This makes Southend's (last place in the Championship -- i.e. last place in the 2nd division for all you American newbies) 1-0 stunner over Manchester United (top of the Premiership, right now) all the sweeter. People, that's like the Saskatchewan Roughriders beating the Joe Montana-era 49ers. It's a BIG upset.

Hornets - Are they in New Orleans? Are they in Oklahoma City? Seattle in a year? Nome, Alaska? Well, where they are is undefeated. 4-0 for the first time since anyone can remember. Chris Paul, when it's all said and done, will be on the honor list of legendary point guards. Right up there with Magic, Stockton, and Kidd. But it's Peja Stojokovic that's making the real difference. For all the noise made by the Bulls during the off-season, people didn't realize that it was actually the team receiving Tyson Chandler that would be the one to watch. His presence gives David West a little more flexibility and Peja represents the dead-eye assassin from the outside that the Hornets have never had. Provided they stay healthy (because they have virtually zero depth) this is a bonafide playoff team.