[VIDEO] Shaquille O'Neal Gets Traded to Cleveland!!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
shaq is only a 1 year deal...So Clevelands wins a championship in 2010...then Lebron goes to NY.
Stephon Marbury set to leave the Knicks, and join the Celtics
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Source: Espn.com
The New York Knicks and Stephon Marbury were nearing a buyout agreement Tuesday afternoon that would clear the way for Marbury to sign with the Boston Celtics, according to sources close to the situation.
Sources briefed on the state of the talks told ESPN.com that the Knicks and Marbury are on the verge of finalizing a separation package that will make Marbury eligible to play in the playoffs for another team because his release from New York would come before the league's Sunday deadline.
The New York Times first reported on its Web site Tuesday afternoon that "all indications were that the two sides had reached agreement on a contract buyout that will free [Marbury] to join another franchise for the stretch run."
Said one source to ESPN.com: "Look for Steph to get bought out today."
Another source close to the process indicated that Marbury and the Celtics have already commenced discussions on a contract.
It's believed that Marbury will be forfeiting in excess of $2 million from his $20.8 million salary this season, which would net the Knicks twice that much because of the luxury-tax savings involved.
Marbury would then be in position to recoup roughly half of what he's surrendering in his buyout from the Celtics. As ESPN.com reported Jan. 1, Boston has been hoping to sign the wayward point guard to bolster its thin bench if Marbury -- who turned 32 last week -- could manage to extricate himself from the Knicks
Marbury hasn't played in an NBA regular-season game since Jan. 11 of last season, but the Celtics have been concerned about their depth all season after the offseason departures of James Posey and P.J. Brown. Boston has since lost star forward Kevin Garnett to a knee injury for the next two to three weeks and reserve swingman Tony Allen to a thumb injury expected to sideline him for eight weeks.
Earlier Tuesday, Boston signed center Mikki Moore, who was waived by Sacramento after last Thursday's trading deadline. The Celtics opened two roster spots last week by trading away veteran guard Sam Cassell and little-used center Patrick O'Bryant.
Last week, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith reported that multiple Celtics players had recently reached out to Marbury, urging him to forfeit some salary in his long-contentious negotiations with the Knicks to prove to skeptics that he could make an impact with a championship-caliber team.
Venus Williams wins Dubai title!!! Defeats Virginie Razzano
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Source: espn.com
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Venus Williams won her 40th singles title Saturday, defeating Virginie Razzano of France 6-4, 6-2 in the final of the Dubai Tennis Championship.
During the trophy presentation, Williams spoke about Shahar Peer, the Israeli player who was denied entry into the United Arab Emirates for the tournament because of what organizers called security concerns.
"I felt like I had to talk about her," Williams said. "I thought it was brave of her to come here and try and play despite knowing that it is not going to be easy for her. My dad grew up in an area where if you spoke too much, it was your life. So I felt I had a small opportunity to say something where everyone will listen."
Peer was denied entry into the country a week ago. The WTA fined organizers of the tournament a record $300,000 Friday, saying it will compensate Peer and ensure other Israeli players aren't shut out of future events.
"I am not here to rock any boat or upset people, I am just here to do things that are right," Williams said. "And I think right things are already happening next week and right things will happen next year."
Israeli player Andy Ram was granted a visa Thursday for the upcoming men's tournament in Dubai. On Saturday, organizers said Ram would have the security needed to play.
"Obviously, Andy Ram got his visa, so I'll be happy to come and defend next year," Williams said. "If everyone is not given the equal opportunity to play, I'd rethink. But I love this tournament. They really care about the players."
Williams, who reached the semifinals in Dubai in 2002, got her only break of the first set against Razzano in the 10th game.
"I think she definitely had a much better week than I had, even though I won the tournament," Williams said. "She played a great game and she came with a great game plan to come out and attack. She'd have been in trouble if she had let me take control of the match.
"But I am pretty used to players coming against me and playing aggressive tennis. I can't really control that, so I just try and play my side of the court."
Williams will improve to No. 5 in the WTA rankings when they are released Monday.
Razzano, who upset second-seeded Dinara Safina and fifth-seeded Vera Zvonareva in Dubai, said her performance was the best of her career.
"I am very happy," said the 58th-ranked Frenchwoman, who needed a medical time-out for her back. "I am happy for Venus, who played great and deserved to win. And I am feeling happy for myself because I played so well throughout the week. I know I can challenge the top players."
MLB wants A-Rod to talk w/ its investigators
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Source: Espn.com
Alex Rodriguez isn't finished answering questions yet.
Major League Baseball will ask the disgraced slugger to meet with its investigators in the coming weeks to further explain his admitted use of performance-enhancing drugs, two sources familiar with MLB's plans told ESPN.
After two public confessions, one with ESPN's Peter Gammons and the other at a news conference in Tampa on Tuesday, Rodriguez will be asked to give a full account of how extensive his drug use was, and who the "cousin" is who Rodriguez says injected him with a drug believed to be the anabolic steroid methenolone. Rodriguez said they bought the drug, which he described as "boli," from a pharmacy in the Dominican Republic.
"They're more interested in what happened in the States than in the Dominican," one source said.
Representatives from MLB's department of investigations are expected to ask Rodriguez whether his cousin, whom Rodriguez declined to name, had access to major league clubhouses and other players, and whether either he or Rodriguez ever distributed drugs to other players. Under baseball's labor agreement Rodriguez cannot be punished for any banned substances he took prior to 2004, but he could be punished if MLB were to determine that he supplied drugs to other players.
MLB officials declined comment, and MLB Players Association officials could not be immediately reached for comment Wednesday night. Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, did not immediately return a phone call or email message seeking comment.
The sources who spoke to ESPN said that MLB must formally request a meeting through the Players Association, and that Rodriguez will be allowed to appear with a lawyer and a union representative if he chooses.
One source said commissioner Bud Selig could choose to punish Rodriguez if he feels he isn't forthcoming, although the union would be likely to fight any action.
Barkley apologizes before coming back to NBA on TNT
Source: Espn.com
NEW YORK -- Charles Barkley called his drunken-driving arrest "unacceptable" as he prepared to return to his television gig after a six-week leave of absence.
Barkley had a blood-alcohol level of .149 percent, nearly twice the legal limit of .08 percent in Arizona, after the 45-year-old former NBA star was arrested Dec. 31 in Scottsdale.
He will resume his studio analyst role for TNT on Thursday.
"This is just my bad, no excuses," Barkley said in an interview with TNT colleague Ernie Johnson posted on NBA.com Wednesday.
"I think that a DUI is unacceptable," he added. "That can't happen and I've got to challenge other people, not just celebrities or jocks. You have to really think before getting behind the wheel after you've been drinking."
Barkley conceded he may face jail time. He indicated that the case will be resolved by plea agreement and expected to undergo alcohol counseling.
"I think it's going to be good for me, to be honest. I need to make sure drinking is not a problem for me," he said. "I just want some professionals to talk to me about it."
If they tell him to stop drinking, "then I'll have to stop drinking," he said.
Asked if he could do that, he replied, "I feel I can do anything that I put my mind to."
Barkley apologized to his family, employer and the league, saying he had embarrassed them. He thanked a long list of friends -- including Hall of Famers Larry Bird and Moses Malone -- for checking in on him.
He vowed he would start using a driver when he goes out in public and would not get behind the wheel after any drinking.
"I let so many people down," he said. "It just [stinks] watching the shows and not being there. I screwed this up."
S. Carolina Police will not charge Michael Phelps
Monday, February 16, 2009
Source: Espn.com
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- A South Carolina sheriff said Monday he was not going to charge swimmer Michael Phelps after a photo of the 14-time gold medalist showed him smoking from a marijuana pipe.
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said he couldn't ignore the photo but defended his investigation.
"Michael Phelps is truly an American hero ... but even with his star status, he is still obligated to obey the laws of our state," Lott said.
The photo showed Phelps smoking from a marijuana pipe at a party in November when he visited the University of South Carolina.
Phelps has called his judgment bad and said he would learn from his mistake.
USA Swimming suspended Phelps for three months in the wake of the photo, and Kellogg Co. said it would not renew its endorsement deal with him.
The photo surfaced in a British newspaper, News of the World, on Feb. 1. The swimmer, who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games, did not dispute its authenticity.
News of the World said the picture was taken during a party while Phelps was visiting the university. During that trip, he attended one of the school's football games and received a big ovation when introduced to the crowd.
The party occurred nearly three months after the Olympics while Phelps was taking a break from training, and his actions should have no impact on the eight golds he won at Beijing. He has never tested positive for banned substances.
This isn't the first embarrassing episode for Phelps after an Olympic triumph. In 2004, a few months removed from winning six gold and two bronze medals in Athens, the swimmer was arrested on a drunken driving charge at age 19. He pleaded guilty and apologized for the mistake.
Brett Farve Finally Retiring
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
All I can say is it's about time. I never wanted to disrespect the greatest but he even made the jets look bad. I'm surprised they didnt crucify his in NY.
Lil Wayne on ESPN...AGAIN!!!!!
Wayne is getting that gwap. Shout out to VladTV.com...they goin in ova there for real. It's inspiring!
I saw it coming!!Dennis Felton fired as Georgia Bulldogs head coach
Thursday, January 29, 2009
By Mark Schlabach
ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- Dennis Felton, who last season led Georgia's basketball program to an improbable SEC tournament championship, was fired by athletics director Damon Evans on Thursday morning, multiple sources close to the situation told ESPN.com.
Evans' decision came after the Bulldogs lost to Florida 83-57 on Wednesday night, their seventh consecutive defeat. Georgia is 9-11 and 0-5 in SEC play. The school has scheduled an 11 a.m. ET news conference to announce the firing. Felton had an 84-91 record in six seasons at Georgia, including a 26-59 mark against SEC opponents. Evans seemed poised to fire Felton a year ago, but the Bulldogs won three games in two days to win the SEC tournament. Georgia was forced to play a condensed schedule after Atlanta's Georgia Dome was damaged by a tornado. By winning the SEC tournament, Georgia won an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, its only appearance on college basketball's biggest stage during Felton's tenure. The No. 14-seeded Bulldogs lost to No. 3 seed Xavier 76-61 in the first round. Felton inherited a Georgia program that had been crippled by NCAA sanctions. He succeeded Jim Harrick in 2003 after Harrick was fired following the discovery of academic fraud and other NCAA rules violations.
Skip Bayless vs. Lil Wayne Espn's 1st & 10: 1/6/09 10am
Monday, January 5, 2009
I'll be a coach potato tomorrow morning.....where ever I'm at.
