Two grown-up Laker fans fight about a Facebook comment
Two grown-up Laker fans fight about a Facebook comment
In these all-too-short lives that we lead there are certain things worth fighting for. You know what I’m talking about — love, freedom, the right to party, getting zinged by a television host — the real big-ticket items. Coming to fisticuffs over such issues is totally understandable and often justified.To that inscrutable list of fightable offenses we must add another important concern that lives deep in all of our hearts — taking on people who disagree with you on the Internet. This, truly, is the final frontier. As Beatriz Valenzuela of the Victorville Daily Press reports, two adults in California are doing some important work to ensure these disputes do not go unpunished.A disparaging remark on Facebook about the Los Angeles Lakers sparked Wednesday’s brawl involving some 20 adults at a local kindergarten graduation, according to one participant.”This all started because of a Facebook comment between this other woman and my grandmother about the Lakers,” said Queiona Burt, 31, one of the women arrested following a brawl that broke out at a recent Puesta del Sol Elementary School kindergarten graduation. “But I want to apologize to the school and the community and say this is not what I’m about. I was trying to defend myself.”Thank you, kind souls. As a human who spends the majority of his days making basketball chatter on the World Wide Internet Superhighway, I appreciate the effort to ensure that hater-stomping becomes widely accepted around the globe. Thank you. Thank you so much.On the other hand, this is a grown-up fighting a grandma about something that happened on Facebook. This is not a Jay and Silent Bob movie that we are talking about, but real life. A real life that has flesh-and-blood fights about the Lakers because of Facebook. Five years ago, if I had come back from the future and told you this story, you wouldn’t even understand it, mostly because your mind would be blown by all the advances made in time traveling technology in just half of a decade. Nonetheless, I think this is a really good approach to solving disagreements online. In fact, starting this weekend I will begin a three-week tour to confront anyone who doesn’t think Brad Miller(notes) is the best goateed backup center in the NBA. Watch your back. (h/t Ted Williams’ Head)
Japan’s Sato wins first gold in Youth Olympics (AP)
Japan’s Yuka Sato won the first gold medal in the inaugural Youth Olympics, racing to a comfortable victory in the women’s triathlon on Sunday. Sato finished the race in 1 hour, 49 seconds. Australian Ellie Salthouse was second in 1:01:04 and American Kelly Whitley placed third in 1:01:48 seconds.
No timetable for return of Iowa’s Wegher (AP)
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says there’s no timetable for the return of sophomore running back Brandon Wegher, who has left the team for undisclosed personal issues. Ferentz did say he’s cautiously optimistic Wegher will rejoin the Hawkeyes this season. Wegher, who rushed for 641 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
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Shaq looking for nickname with Celtics (AP)
Shaq looking for nickname with Celtics (AP)
Now that he’s signed with the Boston Celtics, Shaquille O’Neal is looking for a nickname that will fit in with his new city. The Celtics’ website trumpeted the signing of “The Big Shamrock” this week, when O’Neal signed a deal that will reportedly pay him the veterans’ minimum over the next two seasons.
Bradford makes fine first impression (AP)
Rookie quarterback Sam Bradford is making a fine first impression with the St. Louis Rams. In a controlled scrimmage Saturday night at Lindenwood University, before approximately 8,000 fans, the No. 1 overall pick directed the second team offense and unofficially went 7-for-9 for 94 yards and a touchdown in the live portion of the scrimmage.
NBA stars, Obama entertain troops (AP)
President Barack Obama pulled together an informal dream team of current and former basketball superstars Sunday. But only a few people got to see it. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and other NBA all-stars joined Obama in Washington to entertain wounded troops. The present-day stars were joined by some retired legends, including Bill Russell and Magic Johnson.
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Thunder rookie Aldrich signs contract (AP)
Thunder rookie Aldrich signs contract (AP)
Rookie center Cole Aldrich has signed his contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Aldrich was the No. 11 overall pick in the NBA draft in June before being traded from the New Orleans Hornets to the Thunder. He’s the first of the four rookies acquired by Oklahoma City on draft night to sign his contract.
Friday’s Womens National Basketball A Capsules (PA SportsTicker)
Tamika Catchings scored a season-high 30 points and hit the winning free throws to lead the Indiana Fever to a 95-93 victory over the Atlanta Dream on Friday night, snapping a three-game losing streak.
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The 10-man rotation, starring Ron Artest’s haircuts
The 10-man rotation, starring Ron Artest’s haircuts
A look around the league and the web that covers it. It’s also important to note that the rotation order and starting nods aren’t always listed in order of importance. That’s for you, dear reader, to figure out.C: How to Watch Sports. An infographic of every Ron Artest(notes) hairstyle from last season. Print immediately. PF: SBN. And here’s the highlights from Ron’s interview with ESPN the Magazine.SF: ProBasketballTalk. The first big game on next year’s schedule has leaked.SG: The Onion. “Several NBA Teams Interested in Shaq as a Person.”PG: HRO. Justin Timberlake will be the latest superstar to join the Heat. 6th: You Been Blinded. Twitter hates Daniel Tosh and LeBron James(notes) just about the same amount.7th: Uni Watch. If you collect old NBA stuff, check out these auctions. Some incredible finds.8th: TrueHoop. Amar’e Stoudemire’s(notes) search.9th: Salt City Hoops. Inside the Floppers’ Studio.10th: The Baseline. Get out of here, vuvuzelas.Got a link or tip for Ball Don’t Lie? Holler at me at trey.kerby (at) yahoo.com, or follow me on Twitter.
Oilers re-sign G Deslauriers for 1 year (AP)
The Edmonton Oilers re-signed goalie Jeff Deslauriers on Saturday, agreeing to a one-year contract. The 26-year-old Deslauriers was 16-28-4 last season with a 3.26 goals-against average and .901 save percentage, seeing extensive time after Nikolai Khabibulin injured his back. Edmonton drafted Deslauriers 31st overall in 2002.
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Kings’ Cousins eager to prove himself (AP)
Kings’ Cousins eager to prove himself (AP)
DeMarcus Cousins has a favor to ask all the doubters who questioned his maturity and his game before the NBA draft, then raved about his play during the Las Vegas Summer League: Take a side. “Make up your mind,” Cousins said. “You either love me or you hate me.” There’s no in-between with Cousins, selected fifth overall by the Sacramento Kings in last month’s draft.
Rays 1 behind Yankees, win streak now 7 (AP)
There’s no secret to the success of the Tampa Bay Rays. Strong starting pitching and a better than expected bullpen, along with sturdy defense and just enough offense keyed a blazing start in April. Now they’re using the same formula to close in on the AL East-leading New York Yankees after fading badly in the standings in June.
Wizards sign 1st-round pick Seraphin (AP)
The Washington Wizards have signed No. 17 overall pick Kevin Seraphin, who was acquired in a draft-day trade with the Chicago Bulls. Seraphin, a 6-foot-9 forward from French Guyana, spent the past four years playing for Cholet Basket. The French club signed him to a three-year contract in August, and he had to negotiate a buyout in order to join the Wizards.
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The 10-man rotation, starring unexpected comebacks
The 10-man rotation, starring unexpected comebacks
A look around the league and the web that covers it. It’s also important to note that the rotation order and starting nods aren’t always listed in order of importance. That’s for you, dear reader, to figure out.C: Celtics Town. If Penny Hardaway wants to come back, why not these guys?PF: The Basketball Jones. Man, Matt Bonner(notes) really does love sandwiches.SF: FanHouse. Trying to understand David Kahn’s moves is so hard.SG: Bulls Confidential. Now that J.J. Redick(notes) is staying with the Magic, what should the Bulls do?PG: Basketball Prospectus. Long-term contracts aren’t the best idea.6th: NBA Offseason. Big ups to Jeremy Lin, the Harvard point guard who balled out against John Wall(notes).7th: FreeDarko. The Miami Heat are already showing up in rap songs.8th: Cleveland Frowns. Dan Gilbert’s letter has been taken down. Good thing I printed it.9th: 48 Minutes of Hell. Tiago Splitter(notes) will fit in with the Spurs quite nicely.10th: The Painted Area. Omer Asik(notes) was cheap and more than worth it. Got a link or tip for Ball Don’t Lie? Holler at me at trey.kerby (at) yahoo.com, or follow me on Twitter.
Pondexter leads Liberty to OT win (AP)
Cappie Pondexter scored six of her game-high 24 points in overtime as the New York Liberty beat the Connecticut Sun 82-74 on Tuesday night. New York improved to 10-10, giving every team in the WNBA’s Eastern Conference a .500-or better record. Leilani Mitchell had 16 points and eight rebounds for the Liberty.
The Utah Jazz trade for Al Jefferson
Al Jefferson(notes) needs the ball. He needs the ball on the low left block, some space and room to move. He would prefer it — and this goes for both teammates and potential double-teamers on the other side — if you left him alone. Al Jefferson might be more of a center than a power forward, which is cool — this league can always use centers that aren’t awful. But he also has a devil of a time guarding centers. And power forwards, while we’re at it. And a combo featuring Jefferson and Paul Millsap(notes), despite its ability to score and rebound, smacks awfully heavily of the failed combo we saw in Minnesota with Jefferson and Kevin Love(notes). Al Jefferson is not the best screen-setter in the world, a result of too many offensive fouls picked up during his early years with the Boston Celtics. So he’s a bit hesitant and, as a result, whiffs a ton. This doesn’t exactly bode well for the Utah Jazz, who (as you may have heard) like to rely on the screen-and-roll quite a bit. Al Jefferson was recently traded to the Utah Jazz, by the way. And despite all the worries posted above, the Jazz and their fans should be absolutely giddy with the move. Why? Because they just picked up Al Jefferson for absolutely nothing. And if you have a chance to go after Al Jefferson for absolutely nothing, you go after that. Such a deal. So Al’s going to be with the Utah Jazz next season, and one can’t help but give the Jazz and their ownership loads and loads of credit. They play in Salt Lake City and despite that big arena full of fans and the NBA’s revenue sharing system, this isn’t a team in New York or Los Angeles. And yet, here the Jazz are, about to pay the luxury tax again. A fine power forward in Millsap already on board, and yet the Jazz still go out and use a trade exception and future draft picks to grab Al Jefferson. Another guy making eight figures next season. How Al fits is another story. As mentioned above, he’s not the typical screen-and-roll presence you usually see in a Jazz uniform. He’s almost better served as an undersized center, where all he has to do is set a screen off the ball to free a wing player on his way to the low post. In Jazzland, the power forwards are expected to be up top or on the elbow extended, ready to get in the way of the opposing point guard. Al really hasn’t ever had to do that. This shouldn’t prevent him from trying, though. Really, the first 60 games of next season should be used to disappoint onlookers and worm his way into getting comfortable with the system. Seriously, tick off the fans, Al. Step out of your comfort zone, set screens, try and develop a sense of chemistry and timing with Deron Williams(notes), and sometimes have to sit with two fouls and nine minutes left to go in the first quarter. Why? Because the Jazz already have Millsap, who knows how to work this. And they also boast Andrei Kirilenko(notes), who plays better at power forward, and is probably bashing his head against the wall right now wondering what he has to do to earn back those power forward minutes he worked so well with during 2003-04. The Jazz have room to tide you over, especially if it means you having the faith to toss everything out and try to work inside their system. And while the Jazz traded for you to play like Al Jefferson, and while what you’ve given teams on the court hasn’t led to your miserable career win/loss record, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take a chance and try to submit to a system that could make you and your teammates bigger than the sum of their collective talents. A finely honed sense of rhythm and chemistry with teammates in May will be well worth all the groans from October to March. It takes a massive leap of faith, trust in your own abilities and trust in the mugs that observe this game. Because while Al Jefferson could be quite successful heading to that low block and working as usual, he and his team could be incredibly successful if he finds a way to work up top, flash away from the ball, make Deron Williams more dangerous and in turn open up myriad offensive opportunities for his teammates. That’s what the two-man game does, after all. At its best, it makes for great options for five guys at a time, even if just one guy touches the ball for the entire play. The Jazz just traded for Al Jefferson, and they only had to give up one fringe big man, some future draft picks and ask that the team’s ownership group pay a whole lot of money for the roster as currently established. It’s a fantastic move, even if the guy struggles to start the season. And the Timberwolves? Analysis? They’re a mess. They got Kosta Koufos(notes) in the deal, and he might be worth taking a look at, but they’ve completely wasted all the assets they’ve had come through Minnesota over the last few years. Al Jefferson and Kevin Love couldn’t play together, but this was the best deal possible? And this is when you make the deal? For a trade exception and picks? Such a waste. Al Jefferson? Don’t waste this. You have 82 games to work through before you hit the playoffs for the second time in your career, your first postseason trip as a starter. Work with Deron Williams and Jerry Sloan to be the guy that pushes this team over the top.
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More than zero teams are interested in signing Adam Morrison
More than zero teams are interested in signing Adam Morrison
Being a high lottery pick in the NBA draft virtually guarantees an NBA job for a long time. Even the biggest busts are always finding front offices willing to take a chance on a possible steal. How else can you explain Kwame Brown(notes) entering his 10th season in the NBA or Michael Olowokandi getting nine years? Heck, even Sam Bowie — the bustiest of all busts — played a decade in the league.With that in mind, it should be no surprise that teams with cap space would want to acquire the third pick in the 2006 draft. However, when you realize that the third pick that year was Adam Morrison(notes), and that he played a grand total of 241 minutes during last season, you kind of get a headache from the confusion. But apparently that’s what’s happening, because according to the Washington Post’s Michael Lee, Morrison is working out for teams left and right.The Wizards on Monday held a workout in Las Vegas for free agent forward Adam Morrison, the third overall pick of the 2006 NBA draft. According to a source at the Impact Sports facility, Wizards Coach Flip Saunders personally conducted the workout, running Morrison through a series of shooting drills. Scout Ed Tapscott was also in attendance according to a witness. [...]Another source confirmed the workout with Morrison but added, “nothing is imminent.” Morrison is expected to work out for the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.Good for Adam Morrison. He’s only 25, he’s been in the NBA for four seasons so he’s definitely going to be professional and won’t complain about playing time. Furthermore, his former Lakers teammates respect his game. Really. They really do, you guys. Stop laughing. However, inking Morrison — whether it be Washington, Chicago or somewhere else, he’ll get a contract — means that one less deserving D-League guy won’t get a chance. There are a hundred other leagues where Morrison can go and shoot jumpers over outreached hands, and he’d be good at it as long as he doesn’t have to create his own shot. He’s just a little too slow and a lot too non-athletic to make an impact in the NBA. Take a chance on someone who might really help the team, various NBA franchises. Then again, he did have a 21.5 PER in the 2010 playoffs. Plus he’s got two championship rings. Pedigrees like that don’t grow on vines.
David Stern chimes in on ‘The Decision’ and Dan Gilbert’s letter
While the NBA has been going crazy with trades and signings and, oh yeah, a basketball conglomerate being formed in southern Florida, David Stern has been keeping quiet. One must assume he was busy training with Pai Mei just to be ready for the upcoming season. But even though he’s remained basically silent throughout this summer’s free-agency process, it figured that Stern would soon enough be heard on anything and everything that has happened. Finally, Stern has surfaced, bringing with him a righteous, but congenial, fury befitting a man of his importance. First on Stern’s scorn list was “The Decision,” the very silly one-hour special dedicated to all things LeBron James(notes). From the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Brian Windhorst:”I would have advised [James] not to embark on what has become known as ‘The Decision,’” Stern said. “I think that the advice he received on this was poor. His performance was fine. His honesty and his integrity shine through. But this decision was ill-conceived, badly produced and poorly executed. Those who were interested were given our opinion prior to its airing.”That, my friends, is about the nicest way of saying “Wow, that was a terrifically bad hour of television and I feel dumber for having watched it” as there could possibly be. Stern covered all the bases — the concept, the actual show and its subject — in a scant few words, plus he let it be known that he was against it from the start. Very nice, even if Stern’s standards for a “fine” performance are quite low.Moving on, Stern also addressed Dan Gilbert’s now-famous letter to Cleveland fans. You know the one with all the random quotation marks and capitalization. Let’s just say David Stern is kind of a grammar nerd.”I think the remarks by Dan Gilbert, catalyzed as they may have been by a hurt with respect with the respect to his team and the people of Cleveland, though understandable, were ill-advised and imprudent,” Stern said.”I think Dan Gilbert is a good owner and I think he was completely correct in expressing his disappointment and his determination to win. In fact, if he wants to guarantee a championship, more power to him. I’m going to tune in to watch to see if he can do it. But you would read the rest of the statement to see where I think it was a little bit to the extreme and his follow-on interview.”Yes, we can all agree that caps-locking and bolding a championship guarantee is “a little bit to the extreme.” And Stern isn’t a fan of “the extreme” as evidence by his fining Gilbert a cool $100,000 for his outbursts. Ironically, that’s kind of extreme. Apparently David Stern is a big Alanis Morisette fan, but who isn’t?Even though he’s a couple months shy of his 68th birthday and has had the same job since 1984, it’s pretty obvious that David Stern’s still got it. Best not to mess with him.
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Danica humbled by struggles in stock cars (AP)
Danica humbled by struggles in stock cars (AP)
JOLIET, Ill. — Those who know Danica Patrick mainly for racy photo shoots and commercials are seeing something decidedly different in her public persona these days: humility.
Agent: Ilgauskas to sign with Heat (AP)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas has dealt Cleveland another blow by planning to follow LeBron James to the Miami Heat. The veteran center, who started playing for Cleveland in 1997 and has never suited up for another NBA team, expects to sign a two-year contract with the Heat later this week, agent Herb Rudoy said Tuesday.
Create-a-caption: These NBA players look a little different
Out of all these people, the person I feel the most sadness for is Cleveland Cavaliers girl. Not only did she not get a jersey because no one wants to have to deal with seeing a LeBron James(notes) wine and gold, but you know she loved LeBron considering she’s wearing his shoes. Tough break, girl who is probably named Shannon. Best caption wins a smile. Good luck. Previously, Adrian Dantley looks down upon LeBron.Winner, Magic32: “Sweet! I love Tool Academy!” Runner-up, SteveA: LBJ: “Big Brother is watching you.”AD: “This is such a joke”LBJ: “Adrian stop leaning against the wall when Big Brother is speaking.”AD: “What? How’d you see me?”LBJ: “Mario and Joel take him away” Second runner-up, VinnyB: “I can’t go with someone watching.”
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Celtics re-sign Allen for 2 years, $20M (AP)
Celtics re-sign Allen for 2 years, $20M (AP)
The Boston Celtics’ new Big Three will stay together to try for a second NBA title. Ray Allen confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday night that he has agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract to return to Boston. With Kevin Garnett under contract, Paul Pierce on the verge of a new four-year deal and coach Doc Rivers also agreeing to return, the Celtics can keep together the core of…
IOC president inspects London’s Olympic Stadium (PA SportsTicker)
By STEPHEN WILSON AP Sports Writer
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Chicago is daring LeBron James to play for the Bulls
Chicago is daring LeBron James to play for the Bulls
Right as the clock struck 12:01 a.m. ET on Thursday morning, officially starting this summer’s free-agency bonanza, LeBron James(notes) received three things — several phone calls from interested teams, a knock on his door and a mysterious package. Since the package was mysterious, no one knew what it contained. But now that we’re a few days past the start of the offseason signing period, someone has to take credit for the move.[Photos: LeBron's recruitment tour]As it turns out, the package James received was from Chicago. And as it turns out, it was the final piece in a week-long marketing initiative by the Chicago-based Leo Burnett Worldwide ad agency. From the Chicago Tribune’s Steve Johnson:”LeBron, the fans of Chicago have a question for you,” reads the two-page ad that ran in Thursday’s Akron Beacon Journal, James’ hometown paper. “Can you cast a shadow this big?”The image is of an outline that looks a lot like Michael Jordan’s, in the iconic, ball-in-one-hand pose, spread out over the Chicago cityscape. Dreamed up by sports-loving ad guys at the city’s Leo Burnett agency and paid for by Burnett, it was the culmination of a four-day campaign featuring a fresh challenge each day. [...]So Monday, they sent to his house the classic red, white and black Air Jordans and asked if he could fill those shoes. Tuesday it was a case featuring seven empty ring boxes, representing one more championship than Jordan won here, and the question, “Can you fill these boxes?”Wednesday was a mock-up of a Chicago Tribune 10 years hence – still going strong, by the way – and the headline “Sweet Throne, Chicago: With Title No. 7, It’s Officially King James’ Court.”Bold. I mean, wowsers, you guys. Flaunting Chicago and Michael Jordan’s legacy in James’ hometown is about as direct as you can be when addressing what many see as James’ biggest hurdle when considering signing with the Bulls. No use beating around the bush, I guess. Readily acknowledging that LeBron would have a lot of work to do to catch Jordan is playing to James’ competitive side, and doing that would be just the kind of thing that would set Jordan off. I think that’s irony, but I’m not a big Alanis Morissette fan.It feels like this move might tell us a little bit about what LeBron is really after and whether or not he’s willing to intentionally position himself against the greatest player of all-time. At the very least, it’s a pretty cool campaign — Don Draper would be proud — and LeBron got a pair of awesome shoes. I think that makes him the big winner in all of this. (h/t Chris Littmann)Other popular stories on Yahoo!: • Former NBA player now homeless • Humble pie for outspoken World Cup coach • Carrie Prejean marries NFL quarterback
