Mike Leach loves Portland, but not Pac-12 officials

As WSU fans, and all college football fans are well aware, Mike Leach has an opinion on just about everything. Any time he appears on John Canzano's radio show, you can count on a wide-ranging and entertaining interview. His May 25 segment was no different. One of the first things Leach reveals is his love for Portland. This should come as no surprise, even though a team from Portland dealt his team a pretty tough blow last season. Leach is ever-curious, and Portland is weird enough for him to fit right in.

Leach goes to Portland quite a bit because his daughter lives just across the river in Vancouver. He summed up Vancouver pretty well when he said, "You don't have to pay taxes but you get to hang out in Portland." He is a huge fan of Powell's Books, and ended up signing a stack of  the books he wrote once he revealed his identity to an employee.

Among other topics covered in the interview:

• Leach's practice of fostering team unity by putting people next to eachother in the locker room who come from different backgrounds. I love that he does this. Anyone in the military will tell you that getting to know people from all walks of life and places throughout the country makes you better.
• He's still pissed about the officiating in the Stanford game, and think the officials should have to sit in front of the media and answer questions after the game. I am 100% in favor of this.
• He is still saying WSU won six games in 2015 as double-digit underdogs. (It continues to not be true)
• He stressed how important team chemistry was to the their success last season. Hard to argue with that.
• His biggest gripe with today's political environment is each party's lack of willingness to come together and do what is best for America.

It was a pretty entertaining 22 minutes, and is worth your time as you prepare for a get-together today. I'm remembering those who gave their lives for our country by cooking eight pounds of Boston Butt, courtesy two pigs who gave their lives for my smoker. Happy Memorial Day. Go Cougs.

Sunday morning post script: I'd be remiss if I didn't mention our man Klay Thompson, and how he set the entire state of Oklahoma aflame Saturday night. Due to a busy Sunday, I put this post in the can when Golden State looked all but certain to lose. Well, Klay ain't got time for that. Here is some additional Sunday morning reading. Congrats on your new NBA record, Klay. Now finish them.

Klay Thompson

Warriors stay alive by beating Thunder - San Jose Mercury News
Without the incredible long-range bombing of Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry, the Warriors would have been dethroned as NBA champions by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Kawakami: Klay Thompson is greatest Warrior in Warriors' greatest game - San Jose Mercury News
There will be stories told for as long as there are Warriors fans who can speak or shriek one more time or just say Klay Thompson's name. All of it will feature a man of few words, but many dramatic jump shots.

The secret to Klay Thompson's epic record-breaking performance
"I brought my Yoda socks to bring out my Jedi powers," Thompson told The Vertical after a performance in which the least heralded, but no less important, member of the Splash Brothers saved Golden State's season.

Football

Preseason Pac-12 Quarterback Rankings | College Football News
After scratching the surface as a rookie in 2014, Luke Falk exceeded all expectations as a sophomore, throwing 38 touchdown passes to only eight picks. He’s the classic case of a quarterback fitting the system to a tee, flourishing as Mike Leach’s newest triggerman.

Toughest stretch: Washington State
The Oregon and Stanford games will both be huge for the Pac-12 North. If the Cougars are able to knock both of those teams off near the beginning of the season, Washington State will put itself in position to control its fate moving forward.

Beer

Best beer I had this week: This is an easy one. I stopped by Cigar City this week to fill my DrinkTanks growler/mini-keg. (The Mrs. has me pegged when it comes to Christmas gifts) While there, I tried a Six Ten Brewing Babble to the Nag IPA. Words cannot describe how incredible it was. Somehow they put rosemary and vanilla together in a beer, and pulled it off spectacularly.

Memorial Day is just one reason to drink these craft beers from cans - MarketWatch
Memorial Day is a great beer-can holiday. Most folks have the day off, the weather in the cold and rainy corners of the country is finally starting to suggest summer and it’s the first holiday that prompts U.S. vacationers toward outdoor activity, which isn’t all that friendly toward glass.

Non-Sports

Walk This Way - Run DMC, Aerosmith Music History - Washington Post
Thirty years ago, the rap trio from Queens and veteran rockers from Boston came together to make history.