The Stack is here on this Thursday, mainly to check in and just say hi.  This is the slowest sports week of the year.  So we really don't have too much to talk about today or for the rest of the week for that matter.  Barring some big news tomorrow, this is the final "stack" of the week so let's get right to it and see what made "the stack" for today, Thursday, July 12:

1. Dwight Howard still hasn't been traded

It is quite perplexing that the Orlando Magic haven't traded Dwight Howard yet.  The Brooklyn Nets have been trying their best to land him, but reports last night were that the Nets imposed a 6:00 PM ET deadline on themselves to trade for Howard.  Obviously that time has come and gone and no trade has happened.  The Nets resigned center Brook Lopez to a $60 million contract extension.  Howard still may be traded to the Nets, but it doesn't look likely at this point.  I, like I'm sure most of the country, just want this saga to end.  No one cares anymore.  Just trade him and get it over with.  Houston and the Los Angeles Lakers are still in the mix, maybe even the Atlanta Hawks.  If something happens, we'll let you know.

2. Drew Brees still hasn't signed a contract

Even more perplexing than Dwight Howard not getting traded yet is the fact that the New Orleans Saints and quarterback Drew Brees still haven't agreed to a long-term deal.  No progress was made Wednesday according to reports and the real sticking point is guaranteed money.  Brees got a little jab from Rob Riggle about the situation in his opening bit at the ESPY's last night as well.  I've said it before and I'll say it again.  New Orleans, "given what Brees has done for your franchise and winning a Super Bowl as well as for your city, give him a blank check and say name your price.  Given what you've gone through this offseason, you could use some good news and pr."  Will he sign by next week.  Brees says he won't report to camp without a new deal.  Who could blame him?  The Brees contract saga continues.

3. All-Star game has come and gone

The National League will have home field advantage in the World Series this year following their 8-0 domination over the American League in the 2012 All-Star game in Kansas City Tuesday night.  The NL tatooed Justin Verlander, scoring five runs in the first inning with the bats from the San Francisco Giants doing most of the damage.  Pablo Sandoval cleared the bases with a triple (first bases clearing triple in ASG history) and in the fourth inning scored three more runs including a two-run homerun by Milky Cabrera.  Kansas City was a great host and Kauffman Stadium looked awesome.  The second half of the season resumes on Friday.

4. ESPY's thoughts

I was very excited to watch the ESPYs last night, recapping the year in sports.  However, it didn't quite meet my expectations.  Rob Riggle did an alright job hosting, but his opening bit was not very good.  He had some solid moments later in the show including the fantasy football story and the interview with Blake Griffin and Kevin Love, but overall, I think SNL's Seth Meyers did a much better job the last two years.  B- grade.  

Some of the presenters were bad like the "New Girl" from that show on FOX.  Talking with Aaron Rodgers, I had to leave the room it was so bad. 

And some of the people and teams who won the awards should not have.  The "Best Play" category did not have four great plays in them.  The baseball catch should have won.  How Indiana's shot to beat Kentucky won, I have no idea.  Fans can be very stupid sometimes.  That play was a routine buzzer-beater.  Just because it was a game-winning shot against Kentucky does not make it one of the best plays of the year. 

And Jeremy Lin as breakout or breakthrough athlete?  Get real.  Linsanity last for about two weeks.  Then he got injured.  You need to sustain success and Lin did not.  Terrible pick there.  Yet, you figured he was going to be the pick, at least I did. 

Finally, the Miami Heat were not deserving of ESPY winner for "Best Team."  That honor should have gone to the Baylor Lady Bears for their perfect 40-0 season.  The Heat have three of the top five or six players in the game.  They should be one of the best teams in sports.  No college basketball team, mens or womens, had ever gone 40-0 prior to Baylor this year.  Say what you want to about women's basketball, but that is awfully impressive and they deserved the award more so than the Heat?

Overall, the ESPYs were decent.  I'd give it an overall B-.  What stood out to you?  What were your thoughts on the ESPYs?

That does it for me for the day and most likely for the week.  If any breaking news happens, we'll have a post on Friday.  If not, we'll see you Monday.

Comments and suggestions on what to talk about are always welcomed and appreciated.