Hall of Famer...really!!

From the title of this post, you must think I'm questioning the induction of Michael Jordan. However, you're wrong. I'm questioning anyone who thinks that he shouldn't be. I was a little teary eyed listening to his speech which was gracious and at times classic arrogant Jordan. Even with all his scandals i.e. betting, affairs, and such, he has remained one of the most popular, well respected men of our generation. I started thinking of why this is. It simply can't be just his greatness on the court. I mean seriously we've seen a lot of skillful ball players on the hardwood.

The notion that being a professional ball player is about entertaining those that pay half their paycheck to watch you is the height of a NBA career is completely false. MJ wasn't just that guy who could entertain. He inspired people. He wasn't a Kobe Bryant that lived a privileged life in Italy or Grant Hill who came from wealth and a sports background. He came from a hard working middle class household that believed in education. Jordan was deemed to short in high school, but was determined to prove all of them wrong. Hmm..I wonder what they're thinking now. Michael "Greatness" Jordan has given so much to charity and truly believes in our children; by the way this was before the NBA forced players to participate in NBA Cares.

I wore my Js not to be the most fashionable, but to show my support and admiration for someone that seemed reachable. I salute Michael and wish him much success in all his endeavors. Hopefully, the Bobcats can pull it together and MJ can sprinkle a little magic baller dust on the players. This quote sums up why Michael IS THAT GUY!
"Don't rush to find the next Michael Jordan - there's not going to be another Michael Jordan."
- 2009 Hall of Fame Speech

Shaq in the Desert!

I've been waiting to blog about this story, because I always like to see how the headlines will play out and now that it has, let me give my two non-expert cents. Shaq Diesel is now the face of the Suns and it's apparent, because the Suns website now has a " Diesel" size intro! It seems that everywhere he goes the red carpet, I mean orange is waiting. Seriously, can you blame the orange fans from being excited? I know that he's at the tail end of his career, but we all know that Shaq's ability to become rejuvenated is likely, just look at the IcyHot commercials, one pad and you're all better. I think that the Suns' new rivals, the Lakers have forced their upperhand and challenged them silently. The Lakers acquired Paul Gasol and he's already making an impact on the purple and gold floor. Shaq may not jump high or dunk as powerful like that classic take down of the rim in Orlando, but he sure can make a guard think about putting in a smooth floater near the rim. His presence is so important in the post. I love the Spurs and want the Rockets to succeed, but I think that having Shaq and allowing Amare to finally play a true power forward will give the Suns more edge. Grant Hill and Shaq, two classy vets helping the young ones!

Boston Triple Crown?

It's time for a little sports wrap-up of my favorite teams, which all hail from Beantown! Is it possible that Boston will have 3 championships? I think so, at least that's what the numbers say. I know the whole spy gate controversy was a total damper on my Pats, but just look at the results! Let me just give you some stats so you can be on the same page even if you're not a die hard sports fan like myself. Tom Brady sets a record 50 touchdown passes, the franchise sets a record of 75 touchdowns in a single season, and 589 points for the year, which is a NFL record. The end result is 16-0! Did I mention one of the main reasons for their success? Randy Moss has calmed down and matured so much as a player. He caught a record 23 touchdown passes from the Stetson model. It's the first time that a team has went undefeated in a 16 game season. The '72 Miami Dolphins were 14-0 and then won the Super Bowl! Basically, New England is the clear favorite to win the big one.

Now on to the big three in green. Garnett, Allen, and Pierce are averaging 59.5 points this season. We've just reached the 30 game mark and they're dominating the East and West. The team's record is 27-3! The question is, can the big three stay healthy enough to keep it going? I think what Boston has this season is remarkable, they have so many bench players that piece it all together. Eddie House is a journeyman in the league, but his outside shooting has brought him much success with the team. Boston has so many outside shooters: Ray Allen 38%, Pierce 40%, Rondo 33%, House 44%, Tony Allen 44%, Posey 40%, Pruitt 33%, Scalabrine 30%, need I say more!!! The Celtics are a well oiled machine and until the wheels fall off they're on their way to the promise land.

I can only hope that the Pats and Celts can follow in the footsteps of my beloved Red Sox and bring the triple crown to Beantown. There's still 50 games left in the NBA regular season and the Patriots have a bi-week before they start their run for the trophy. Only the strong survive and in the words of my boss man, Lets go Redtriotics!!!

Estrorade: New Sit on the Bench Energy Drink!

You're probably wondering what the hell am I talking about! Tracy McGrady has to be one of the most whining, tender, multi-million dollar basketball players I've ever seen. This dude totally needs to be traded or reprimanded for refusing to take a MRI on his sore knee. He's said that taking the test may reveal something, well duh Tracy. We need to know the problem, so you can be repaired, like the tin man without a heart or the whining lion who needs courage. You pick and we'll play! The reason why Ko-baby and Allen " the truth" Iverson are worthy of the dollars is, because they're leaders and ballers, I mean at least A.I. anyway! Seriously, some of the WNBA players are tougher than you. Yao is better conditioned this year, but he needs a tough teammate that can be on the floor with him. Shaq and Kobe worked, because neither was really hurt and if they were, you'd never know it. The task was the playoffs and then the championship, they made all of the above a reality. Please take a look at the following commercial and you'll understand why Iverson is one of the realest basketball players on the hardwood to date. Tracy watch and learn......

Player Shout-Out

AP Photo/Tony Dejak

Lebron James is putting up some ridunculous stats this season. He already has four triple-doubles, but the "king" needs more than that! The Cavaliers still don't have any consistent perimeter shooters. Basically, Lebron James is the lone man out on the floor and management better make some moves soon. Unfortunately, Varejao won't be apart of the action this season. In my opinion, he was asking for to much. He is a good player, certainly not worth the upgrade he was looking for. So cheers to you Lebron for carrying the team on your shoulders!

Update
Well I'll be damned, Lebron sprained his index finger during the first half of the Detroit game tonight. He returned to the bench suited up with his fingers wrapped. The Cavs lost, final score was 74-109! James is the number one offensive player in the league with an avg. of 31.7 points per game. I can only hope he heals up and gets the monkeys back on his shoulders.

NBA News

Rockets lost last night to the Lakers

Kobe had a sick block on Yao and McGrady's elbow is jacked up

Cavaliers were defeated by the Magic

Lebron scored 39 points, 14 dimes, and 13 rebounds

Unfortunately, no victory was found

Celtics stay undefeated

Marbury stops whining and returned to the Knicks

He got a $195,ooo kick

Dwayne Wade reignites the Heat

Still wasn't good enough as they fell to the Sonics feet

So check the records and be surprised, unlikely teams are on the rise

That's the poetic wrap-up from the NBA given to you by the one and only Ms. Scorpia!

Stayed tuned to get the NFL wrap-up, including Ricky Williams reinstatement!

Kobe Bryant and the Bulls?

Steven Freeman/WireImage.com

OMG! I'm so tired of "Ko-baby", please Lakers just trade him to the Bulls and get it over with. The season starts Oct. 30 and Kobe still doesn't have a true home. Buss, owner of the Lakers is finally ready to hear offers for the whining superstar and the Bulls are the front-runners. The Lakers are asking for the following players: Deng, Gordon, Thomas, and Noah! Wow, talk about over-haul of the team! The only problem with that deal is Bryant wouldn't have any desires to play for them if they don't have enough players that can support the ball-hogger! They're the only team I can think of that has enough cap-space and players that can equal the value of Bryant. I can only assume that Gordon would have to give up that number in the trade. He still won't compare to the greatness of Jordan! Do you think it's possible for " Big Ben" and " Ko-baby" to co-exist?

The Clarence Thomas of the NBA!

The executives at Madison Square Garden have to shell out 11.6 million dollars to a former employee that accused Thomas of sexual harassment! Of course the defendants will appeal the decision, but I doubt that any court will overturn the decision. The last thing the Knicks need is another season that starts off on a sour note. The jury of four women and three men found Thomas and Madison Square Garden sexually harassed Anucha Browne Sanders, but it decided only MSG and chairman James Dolan should pay for harassing and firing Browne Sanders from her $260,000-a-year job out of spite. The commish isn't going to suspend or fine Isaiah, because Stern feels that it's a civil issue. My thing is, he should've been focusing on making better trades and forming a playoff team than trying to put his hand on Sander's booty, damn Zeek!

Shaq "Diesel" Files for Divorce!

Wow, Shaq has filed for divorce after nearly five years of marriage to Shaunie! I'm not shocked by anyone getting a divorce these days, but my hopes were kind of high for this couple. I was telling someone today that you never know what's going on behind closed doors! According to the filing, which was first reported by The Miami Herald on its Web site Tuesday night, Shaquille O’Neal is asking Shaunie O’Neal to provide a “correct accounting of all money, funds, stocks, bonds, and other securities” that she had access to or obtained during the marriage. Oh boy, sounds like some funny business was going on!

" King " James Scores 31 Points to Win Gold!

Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images

Congratulations are in order to the U.S.A. basketball team. They received the gold medal in the F.I.B.A. tourney! Lebron " King" James shot 76 percent from the field and was 8-of-11 from three point territory. It was a close race almost to the finish line until U.S.A. just went on a rampage. They went on a 18-0 run before shutting the Argentinians down. The U.S. had already claimed a spot in the Olympics with a win in the semifinal game a couple of days before. Can LBJ continue his superb shooting when the regular season starts? I can only hope so!!

Team U.S.A. Unbeaten in Vegas!

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Team U.S.A. is unbeaten in the F.I.B.A. Americas Tourney! Lebron James was 11 for 11 in the game against Uruguay. He hit all four of his attempted three-pointers and was on fire from every spot on the court. I watched the 1992 U.S.A. team and this is definitely not a replica, but this is the best I've seen them play in years. I think maturity and the seriousness of the task at hand is more important to the players and I'm hoping gold in the Olympics will be ours.

NBA Ref Donaghy Pleads Guilty

Getty Images

Former NBA ref Tim Donaghy pleads guilty on two felony charges in a Federal court today. He faces up to 25 years in prison, fined 500,000 and 30,000 in restitution. The NBA is really in a bad situation, when the new season starts it's going to be hard to focus on the new players, traded superstars, because you'll be so distracted by a call that you think is incorrect or just complete lost of trust for the league! The ratings will probably decrease tremendously and the hype that usually surrounds the NBA Finals will have a black cloud over it's coveted prize!

I'm not trying to be negative, just giving an objective opinion.

Eva and Tony are Ready for Parenthood

Photo by: Kevin Winter/Getty

Eva and Tony said they're going to teach their kids French, English, and Spanish. I mean seriously, were we really expecting anything less from the married couple. I just hope Tony doesn't teach the lyrics to his song, " Balance Toi". He released a French hip-hop album with producer Polygrafic (Sound Scientists). The album Top of the Game, featuring rapper Fabulous and Booba was released in March 2007 and I don't need to reveal the record sales, I think you can figure out that they weren't significant! I wouldn't be surprised if Eva announces she's pregnant tomorrow, her biological clock is ticking. I take that back, my mom had my brother when she was 48, so she still has a good 15 years to go!

Sports Round-Up

Hey Peeps, again M.I.A. pretty much all ayer! I enjoyed my Friday so much and by the end of the day that full belly and joy turned into sleepy and peaceful! So I figured one post for a few things would save a little front page space.

George Mitchell, the investigator for the Steroids madness has been diagnosed with low-grade Prostate cancer. The cancer is small and localized and can be treated and cured his doctor said. Mitchell has made it very clear that his health issues will not affect the probe in baseball's most popular subject! He should be releasing a report in few months, by then Barry should reach at least 770 home-runs.

Tiger Woods tied major record with 63 yesterday at the PGA Championship in Tulsa, Ok. I thought our weather was scorching, but in Tulsa it was like 104 degrees. Tiger had 8 birdies and 1 bogey, keep in mind that Woods was 7 shots behind on Thursday. Could this be number 13?

What is up with all these old-school NBA players that want to come back? It seems that Reggie Miller has inspired them all! Allan Houston from the New York Knicks has definite plans on returning to the courts. He's been an ESPN analyst for the past two seasons, hmm where can he go? Now on to Mr. Miller, Boston Celtics is really trying to lay down the red carpet for the three-point expert to un-retire and join Garnett, Pierce, Allen to become a real Eastern Conference contender. I'm not so sure about this one, I mean Jordan did it, but he's Jordan! Can Reggie make the giant leap forward and land in Beantown? Penny, Penny has signed with the Miami Heat to reunite with his buddy, the " Big Aristotle". I'm really a little reluctant about this one. We haven't gotten any opportunity to watch Penny shoot, I guess the Heat have seen him do his thing behind the practice doors. I'm really looking forward to this NBA season, I shall renew my league pass immediately!!

Well Peeps, that was the Sports Round-Up, on to celeb news...

Jermaine O'Neal Heading to L.A.?

Why must NBA players come out in public and start demanding trades? Jermaine O'Neal attended the Annual L.A. Stars charity basketball game and in front of Brandy, Snoop, and all the other celebs, he felt compelled to share his desire to be in the "City of Angels". He did purchase a home in Los Angeles over the Summer, so maybe his wish will come true!

Minnesota News

Updates:

I expected these findings to come to light, just like I said in the previous post. Minnesota officials were warned as early as 1990 that the bridge that plummeted into the Mississippi River was "structurally deficient," yet they relied on a strategy of patchwork fixes and stepped-up inspections. Minnesota be prepared to open your checkbooks!

The Minnesota Timberwolves had to delay their press conference to introduce four new players, due to the collapsed bridge. Minnesota is on the map for all kinds of things now, basketball and tragedy is definitely not a good mix.

Kevin Garnett threw the first pitch at the Boston Red Sox game. He looked like a kid that just woke up to open his Christmas presents! I'm glad you're happy " Big Ticket", but you better come with it 07-08 season.

NBA Updates for 7/30

Boston get ready for the " Big Ticket"! Finally, Kevin Garnett is free from the Wolves. Although he preferred to be in LaLa land or Phoenix, Garnett saw the light and signed his name. On paper the team could be an instant contender, seriously! I know that K.G. and Ray Allen are a little beyond their prime, but they still have a few good years hopefully without injury. The Wolves did get a few good men; Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair, Gerald Green and a draft pick were sent to the pack. The retail stores will have an overhaul of people come next week when the jerseys are released, finally Garnett will get the positive spotlight he deserves.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have slammed Ticketmaster Inc. with a lawsuit for allegedly being a monopoly and blocking their season ticket holders from selling and transferring their seats by using the Flash Seat system that is offered by the Cavs. I knew this was coming and I wouldn't be surprised if Stub Hub and Razor Gator are being sued next...

Eddie Curry and Family Held at Gunpoint!

New York Knicks star Eddie Curry and his family were held at gunpoint by three masked robbers on Saturday morning at their Suburban Chicago home. What's up with all the robberies of NBA players? Unlike Walker, Curry was in his home. I'm thinking it's probably an associate or something, that's why it's imperative that you watch the company you keep and don't trust anyone, just my opinion.

Quick Update:

A high school classmate of Tim Donaghy is expected to be indicted sometime this week. James Batista was the former operator of Marina's sports bar in Havertown.

Smush Parker has signed with the Miami Heat. Last season, Parker was taken out of the starting line-up after consistent lackluster performances. I bet when Parker goes to Miami, he's going to be a 10 pt. game contributor. Some players just can't play with the Triangle offense of Phil Jackson.

Video of the Day

Je signifie sérieusement du, pourquoi les joueurs sentent-ils que le besoin frappe ? N'est pas le $$$ de jouer de balle assez. Je suis si malade de ce désordre, le rap est un art pas une mine d'or.

If you want to translate here you go!!!

Signing off,

Teelady

David Stern Releases An Official Statement

David Stern is really trying to avoid the real issue. How many games has this ref officiated, that affected the playoffs or regular season? When a team is one shy of making the playoffs, did you see how many teams were tied in the 8th spot of the regular season? Notice Stern's comments, " a single referee", I seriously doubt that Donaghy is the only ref, I mean think about it, how many refs knew and didn't come to Stern and Jackson about it? I wouldn't be surprised if Donaghy started releasing names just to lessen his charges. I'll keep you posted as the investigations develop. I really thought it was going to be Crawford....