Over at Sportscasm you can see my picks and predictions for the 2009/10 NBA season. I can go ahead and tell you that I believe Carmelo Anthony will win the MVP award this year. It is his turn, and he looks extremely hungry to win not only the MVP award but NBA Championship as well.
NBA star Shannon Brown threw down a fantastic one-handed dunk over Warriors center Mikki Moore during the second quarter of LA Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors game (Lakers won 118 to 101) at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday (October 7).
Shannon Brown Dunk Video
NBA legend Michael Jordan delivered an emotional funny speech during his Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Springfield, Massachusetts on Friday (September 11). The 46 year-old had a long list of people to thank to including those who did not believe in him.
Michael’s HOF Speech included some “messages” to people who in some way or another made him a great competitor, a great player, possibly the greatest ever:
Michael chose David Thompson to induct him and attended the ceremony with his beautiful girlfriend Yvette Prieto (photos), who was rumored to be pregnant but didn’t look pregnant to me.
Michael Jordan Hall Of Fame Speech Video
LeBron James has been in Paris, France this week to host his worldwide tour at Grand Palais. Fellow NBA all-star Tony Parker, who is from France, was also there to help LeBron coach and determine the best skilled player in the camp.
More Photos of LeBron and Tony Below
The Miami Heat star Michael Beasley checked into a Houston rehabilitation facility for possibly substance abuse and psychological issues. Apparently the rehab stay was recommended by his team following the player’s strange behavior over the past few weeks and some weird, alarming tweets over the weekend.
Michael’s Twitter account (@GorillaBeas ) has been deleted but some of his tweets suggested he was depressed and suicidal. Michael tweeted, “Feelin like it’s not worth livin!!!!!!! I’m done” and “I feel like the whole world is against me I can’t win for losin.”
The 20 year-old also posted a photo showing off his new “Supercool Beas” tattoo (photos below) that revealed what seems to be some drug paraphernalia in the bottom right corner.
Michael Beasley Tattoos Pictures
Michael Beasley Rehab Video
Alex von Furstenberg, the son of designer Diane Furstengerg, paid for an airplane carrying a banner reading “Reggie Miller Stop Pursuing Married Women” to fly over Malibu and Santa Monica, California, on Saturday (August 9).
The 38 year-old millionaire believes the former NBA star is still messing with his 25 year-old clothing designer fiancé Ali Kay. The truth is Reggie and Ali have been exchanging flirty text messages (sexting!) for awhile but it was Ali who sent him some provocative photos of herself (photos below).
Reggie’s lawyer Marty Singer, who claim his client and Ali only met briefly a couple of times, says, “There was one of her in bed and one with a bathing suit on. This is a ridiculous and absurd story about a single girl who exchanged text messages with Reggie Miller.”
Alex von Furstenberg accuses Reggie of stalking Ali and filled a restraining order against him. Alex said, “I was very upset about Reggie’s behavior towards my fiancé.I think people in Malibu share my views that being a famous basketball player should not provide some sort of shield against inappropriate behavior.”
An insider told NYPost, Reggie and Ali met at a Lakers game back in February 2009 and went back to Reggie’s house afterward. They weren’t seen each other but the sexting lasted at least three months. Alex started dating Ali while he was still married to Duty Free heiress Alexandra Miller.
Reggie Miller, Alex von Furstenberg & Ali Kay Photos
NBA fans have long known that talented, yet troubled, point guard Stephon Marbury has not always been the most sane baller during his career.
Over the weekend he did a live webcast feed for 24-hours straight on UStream and JustinTV. During the webcast Starbury did several eccentric things, one being dipping his finger in petroleum jelly, digging some out and eating it.
But perhaps the most head-scratching moment came during a five minute sequence when he was crying uncontrollably while listening to the Kirk Franklin song ‘Lean on Me’. A woman could be seen with her hand on his shoulder during part of the sob fest.
Perhaps it’s about time for Starbury to be mentally evaluated or either the NBA toughen up its drug testing policy.
Say it ain’t so Starbury, say it ain’t so!
Shaquille O’Neal hosted WWE’s Monday Night Raw in D.C. last night. The night concluded with Shaq in the ring going nose-to-nose with WWE superstar The Big Show. The Big Show got Shaq in a throat hold, before Shaq returned the favor. Then Shaq rammed The Big Show sending him out of the ring.
Shaq looked rather legit (in a non-legit sport) in the ring against The Big Show.
Former Memphis Tigers basketball star Antonio Burks and another man were shot during the course of a drive-up robbery Monday night in Memphis. Burks is being reported to be in critical condition.
Police say the 29-year-old Burks was shot in the lower torso. Police say he underwent surgery at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis Monday evening and was returned to surgery at about 10 p.m. CDT because of internal bleeding.
Memphis police told The Commercial Appeal that three men pulled up to a house where Burks and four other men were outside. Police say the three robbed the five men, then shot Burks and another man, whose injuries weren’t critical.
Burks was the Conference USA Player of the Year his senior season at Memphis. He went on to be drafted by the Orlando Magic and then traded to his hometown Memphis Grizzlies on draft night. He has spent parts of the last three years playing overseas in Europe.
UPDATE from WMCTV-5
Anthony Jefferson, who drove Burks to the hospital, said the former basketball star came up to him bleeding badly with a gunshot wound.
“I was at my truck and heard a gunshot, saw a man running up the street, asked could I run him to the hospital,” Jefferson said.
He didn’t hesitate, driving Burks to The MED as fast as he safely could.
“He was telling me to go through lights,” Jefferson said. “I said, ‘Both of us don’t need to be at the hospital!’”
Jefferson called 911 on the way. He said Burks managed to stay conscious the whole time.
“He said if he don’t make it, tell his family no to cry for him,” Jefferson said. “Looked like he was going to pass out.”
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Antonio for a quick and full recovery.
NBA star LeBron James got dunked on by Jordan Crawford during a pick-up game played with college players for the LeBron James Skills Academy in Akron, Ohio on Monday (July 6). Tapes and photographic evidence of the big dunk was promptly confiscated by Nike officials.
The video was probably too embarrassing for LeBron, who has to protect his image. ‘King James’ just can’t get dunked on by a college sophomore because that is really bad for his reputation. However, some say the confiscated video will became a myth and everybody will be talking about it for years to come…
[images: NYDailyNews]
Ron Artest has signed a mid-level exception to play for the Los Angeles Lakers. Artest will receive $18 million over three years.
Artest is a skilled enforcer that mixed it up with Lakers star Kobe Bryant on multiple occassions during the 2009 NBA Playoffs. He will add an extra toughness as the Lakers try to defend their championship.
This comes on the day we learned that the Lakers weren’t interesting in giving forward Trevor Ariza more than the same mid-level exception. Ariza has signed a new deal to play with the Houston Rockets.
So basically the Rockets traded Artest to the Lakers for Ariza. Perhaps it will be a win-win for both, but for now I am going to chalk this one up as an advantage to the Lakers.
The Cleveland Cavaliers were also interested in signing Artest.
[image: wenn.com]
The Cleveland Cavaliers held a press conference today to introduce Shaquille O’Neal to the local media and fans. Shaq had a little gift for Cavs GM Danny Ferry, who played in the league for several years and several teams, at the presser.
Shaq brought a photo of himself (see below) and Ferry in a very compromising position from Ferry’s playing days. Shaq likely brought it as a very public reminder so that Ferry would remember who is the boss at the end of the day.
The gesture could also be interpreted several other ways, especially if the acquisition of O’Neal turns out to be a bust for LeBron James’ title hopes.
The Cavs traded Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic to the Phoenix Suns on June 24, 2009 for the future hall-of-famer.
The highly touted and mysterious Ricky Rubio was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the fifth pick at the 2009 NBA Draft at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night. We couldn’t help to notice the resemblance between the 18-year old Spaniard and the great ‘Teen Wolf.’
As we all know Scott ‘Teen Wolf’ Howard is the greatest basketball player of all-time. For real, go back and watch the 1985 film sometime that stars Michael J. Fox in the title role.
If Rubio has half the talent and verticl of Howard then he will go down as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
NBA DRAFT FIRST ROUND RESULTS
Join us tonight for live coverage (blog/chat) of the 2009 NBA Draft that will start at 8pm EDT. You will be able to post your thoughts, predictions, questions, and thoughts on the draft as they happen.
ESPN is reporting that the Phoenix Suns have traded Shaquille O’Neal to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic.
The move will give LeBron James and the Cavs a much needed powerful low post scorer in O’Neal. For the Suns the trade is purely a salary dump that will save them close to $10 million dollars for next season (when luxury tax savings is included).
Shaquille made $21 million dollars in 2009. He rejuvinated his career with 17.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game for the Suns. He has won four NBA Championships and the Cavs will be his 5th team he has played for.
Wallace quit trying once he was rewarded with a huge contract with the Bulls three years ago. Pavlovic has never been much of a NBA player.
The Los Angeles Lakers won the 2009 NBA Finals on Sunday night in Game 5 against the Orlando Magic. The championship title is the 15th overall for the Lakers in their storied history.
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to the championship and was named MVP of the Finals.
“It felt like a big old monkey was off my back,” Bryant said. “It felt so good to be able to have this moment. We tried not to envision it too much because you just get too excited. You try not to think about it, just think about playing the game, and for this moment to be here and to reflect back on the season and everything that you’ve been through, it’s the top of the list, man.”
Many will remember the 2009 NBA Finals for Derek Fisher’s two clutch shots in Game 4, the great defensive play of Trevor Ariza, the coming out party of Pau Gasol, and the inspired play of Lamar Odom.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson made history by winning his 10th championship. He was previously tied with the late Red Auerbach with nine.
The 15th title for the Lakers is second most in NBA history. The Boston Celtics, with 17 titles, have the most overall.
Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose has had a really bad last few weeks. Now comes a photo of Rose flashing gang signs while he was still in college at Memphis. Unlike his earlier troubles last month, Rose was quick to issue a statement distancing himself from his gesture and claiming it was a joke gone wrong.
Derrick Rose’s Statement Regarding Flashing Gang Signs in Photo
Recently, a photo has been circulating on the Internet which appears to depict me flashing a gang sign.
This photo of me was taken at a party I attended in Memphis while I was in school there, and was meant as a joke…a bad one, I now admit. I want to emphatically state, now and forever, that Derrick Rose is anti-gang, anti-drug, and anti-violence.
I am not, nor have I ever been, affiliated with any gang and I can’t speak loudly enough against gang violence, and the things that gangs represent.
In posing for this picture, I am guilty of being young, naive and of using extremely poor judgment.
I sincerely apologize to all my fans for my mistake. I pride myself on being a good citizen, and role model, that young people can look up to and I want to urge all my young fans to stay away from gangs and gang-related activities.
The Chicago Tribune reports that the sign Rose flashed is for The Gangster Disciples gang that is heavily rooted in Rose’s Englewood hood in Chicago.
The Gangster Disciples, a large criminal organization with tens of thousands of members, are deeply involved in Chicago’s violent narcotics trade. Gangster Disciples long have been the predominant gang in the Englewood neighborhood.
Former Memphis teammate and potential 2009 NBA Draft pick Antonio Anderson can clearly be seen behind Rose flashing up gang signs as well.
Earlier this month, it was released that Rose was the reason his college team, the University of Memphis, currently finds itself in hot water with the NCAA, over Rose’s alleged cheating on the SAT admission test.
Buffalo Braves’ hero Randolph ‘Randy’ Smith has died after suffering a heart attack while riding a treadmill at his home in Norwich on Thursday (June 4). Randy was 60 years old.
Former Buffalo State men’s basketball coach and Randy’s teammate at college, Dick Bihr, said: “Best athlete the college [Buffalo State] ever had. It’s hard to believe that a guy who was such a special athlete could pass away like that. He was a special guy, and, in my era, he was a special athlete. He could do just about everything.”
R.I.P. Randolph Smith aka Randy Smith!
Orlando Magic guard Hedo Turkoglu had just hit a running jumper with 1.0 seconds remaining to put the Magic up 95-93 over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Most Cavs fans had given up hope, but Mo Williams inbounded the ball to LeBron James who pulled up, fading away, and nailed the game winner from several feet outside the three-point line
A shot that will be remembered as one of the greatest in the history of the NBA Playoffs and one that Bill Simmons is already including in the best 12 shots ever in the NBA.
Final score: Cavs 96 - Magic 95, series tied 1-1
[video: nba.com]
