Morning Wrap: GA Police Reopen Child Abuse Investigation of Dwight Howard

((ht: wsbtv.com))

Cobb County (GA) Police are reopening a child abuse complaint lodged against Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard. Howard is from the Atlanta area.

The original complaint was investigated by Florida's DCF. We are assuming it's because that is where Royce Reed, the child's mother lives. Reed says Howard's  the 6-11 Rockets center went too far in disciplining the 7-year old child while visiting friends in Cobb County, just north of Atlanta.

Police told Atlanta TV station WSB they reopened the case that had been closed after an investigation in early October because some new information had been discovered. They did not tell the station what the information was.

The station also says the investigation is likely to be fast and not require Howard to show up and be interviewed.

Interesting. We wonder if this is being brought to light due to the Adrian Peterson situation. It does not sound, at least on the surface quite that serious. But it's very hard to tell.

Howard's attorney makes it sound like the mother, Royce Reed is seeking attention and trying to make Howard's life difficult. But if police are at least devoting resources and following up their initial investigation, they must feel like the possibility of there being something to the allegations may actually exist.

Your TV story from wsbtv.com:

ICYMI: Buzzer Beater Madness: Damian Lillard Knocks Rockets out of Playoffs

This may be the best, if not biggest buzzer beating shot thus far in the NBA Playoffs. And we only say this because the playoffs aren't over until July.

Scene setter: Portland and Houston played late Friday night at the Rose Garden with the Blazers holding a 3-2 series lead. Houston takes a 98-96 lead on a layup by Chandler Parsons.

But 0.9 seconds were left on the clock.

That was enough for Portland. Damiam Lillard gets the inbounds pass, turns--and launches the ball towards the basket, well behind the 3-point line on the top left side of the court.

Lillard gets the shot off before the buzzer...

And it went in.

Game over. Blazers win 99-98 and win the best of seven series sending the over-hyped Rockets home for the summer.

Here's your video from NBA.com , and it's pretty damn good...



Another view from courtside, an even better look from Vine:

Sixers Tie Record With 26th Straight Loss: It Wasn't Close

How much would it suck being on a professional sports team and lose 26 straight games?

That's a question Philadelphia 76ers fans and players are asking themselves today after the Sixers got blown out....again.

The Houston Rockets sent Philly to their record tying loss with a 120-98 win Thursday night in Houston.

Just to emphasize how bad the Sixers are, their last win came in January.

James Harden had a triple-double for the Rockets, while James Anderson managed to score nearly 1/3 of Philly's points himself, tallying 30 on the night.

The loss puts the Sixers record at 15-57, which oddly, even if they lose out this season, won't give them the worst all-time record in NBA history.

That honor belongs to a much older Philadelphia 76ers team that went 9-73 back in the early 1970's.

And while everyone involved with this years team says they aren't tanking to grab the top pick in next years draft, they aren't doing themselves or their fans any good by just being outmanned night in and night out either.

We'll see what happens.

Highlights from NBA.com:

Chandler Parsons Has A Bit Of An Outside Shot

((HT: NBA))

Houston was facing a Memphis Grizzlies team that had, until last night were 0-10 against Southwest Division squads, and still lost with the effort we'll talk about below...

Chandler Parsons hit a career-high 34 points on 11-for-17 shooting, including 10-for-14 shooting from 3-point range. But Houston (29-16) had a three-game win streak snapped in an 88-87 win by the Griz...

Here's the highlights of his shooting...


For the record, Parsons hit his first 10 3-point attempts of the second half, matching Kenny Smith's franchise record for most consecutive shots hit from three. Parsons also become the first player in franchise history to hit six three-pointers in a quarter when he shot 6-for-6 in the third...

Still didn't work...

Rockets Attempt To Sing Holiday Song (And Fail)

((HT: CSN Houston/NBA))

The Houston Rockets got into the holiday spirit as, for the first time in forever, Thanksgiving and Chanukah start on the same times of the year...

So, the Rockets decided to break out into Chanukah song...
And the HQ is still stunned as to what to think...

Astros Failures Drive CSN Houston to Bankruptcy

((ht: blog.chron.com))

This is a complicated story that may be a bit difficult to explain, but at it's heart, the success...or lack of success on the field by the Houston Astros has driven their Sports network to the brink of going out of business.

We'll try and explain:

Essentially, the Astros, the Houston Rockets (NBA) and NBC/Comcast combined to create a regional sports network (CSN Houston). It's something NBC/Comcast has done in many other parts of the country.

The two sports teams are the primary shareholders, but responsibility for the network falls to all 3.

And the problem is pretty simple.

They can't get the network cleared. DirectTV, Dish, ATT U-Verse and others want no part of the extra fee that would be involved in picking the network up. It can be seen by less than 1 million people in the TV market.

And that makes getting a favorable TV deal difficult. At best.

It also may explain why the recent Astros/Indians baseball game drew hashmarks in the Nielsen ratings.

You can read more about this from the Houston Chronicle RIGHT HERE

Here's what this boils down to:

It's a quest for more TV money by the teams (Astros/Rockets). Everything in sports these days is dictated by the amount a cable network is paying to broadcast games. It's how the LA Dodgers can have a $200+ million payroll. Same for the New York Yankees.

The Astros and Rockets aren't getting that kind of money. Unless CSN gets into more houses, they won't get that kind of money.

No, the network isn't going away. They can work through their debt. But the bankruptcy filing allows them to reorganize and find a better way to get more eyeballs and make more money. Houston Sports fans probably aren't thrilled about all this. But just remember Houston resident, if they get the network on your provider, your bill is going up. Whether you like the Astros and/or Rockets....or not.

Sadly, this is probably the one Astros highlight this season you'll all remember:

Mark Cuban's Sales Pitch To Dwight Howard, It Ends With Global Domination

[HT: blogmaverick.com]

Mark Cuban is used to listening to sales pitches, you see it weekly on the ABC-TV show Shark Tank.

The tables turned last month with Cuban trying to sell his franchise, the Dallas Mavericks to the most prized free agent in the NBA, Dwight Howard.

Cuban revealed his sales pitch to Howard in a blog Cuban writes for Mavs fans.

Here's a snippet:

Let me address here the inevitable question of Dwight vs Mavs culture.  We saw it as somewhat of a risk, but felt like because Dwight by all appearances and checking we did,  is a good guy and with our support systems we believed we could make it work.  if not, he was obviously a very trade-able asset.  But, as everyone knows, we didn’t sign him. He went to the Rockets.  I do have to say the meeting with Dwight was very interesting. He is a smart guy. Much smarter than people give him credit for. He is also a very, very good listener.  Unlike most people, he spent far more time listening than talking.  And he had the best response to an opening question that I have ever heard from a player, or anyone for that matter.  When we asked him what his goal was, his response was very specific ” I want to be Epic” .  Which was a perfect lead in to the video we created for him

And here is said video:




Cuban went on the say that he has no regrets regarding his sales pitch to Howard.

Of course Dwight Howard's response to Cuban, "I'm out." 

But he did stay in Texas, only in Houston.

Rockets Jones Pleads Not Guilty To Stomping

((HT: KGW-TV))

Houston Rockets forward Terrence Jones pleaded not guilty to harassment after he was arrested for stomping on a sleeping homeless man.

Early Wednesday morning around 2AM (and we'll remind you what we say about early morning stuff...), a police officer said he saw a group of people leaving a local Portland nightclub.

The officer watched Jones walk by a doorway where two homeless men were sleeping. The officer said Jones yelled “wake up” and then stomped on one of the men’s legs. Police contacted Jones and took him into custody.

The victim, 46-year-old Daniel Kellerher, had a minor leg injury, but didn't need any further medical attention.
Jones appeared in court Wednesday afternoon where he pleaded not guilty...

Here's the latest out of Portland...

Way to go, genius...
Allegedly...

Yao Ming As A Wedding Cake,

[HT: Yahoo Sports/sportsgrid.com]

 Jacqui Vivanco and Mike Hertlein must be avid Houston Rocket fans.  Good for them. 

Those of us in the OSG HQ salute that couple for the creativity because they wanted the image of former Rocket center Yao Ming as a wedding cake.

(You might want to hide the women and children to prevent nightmares.)

Charm City Cakes created this confectionery creation.  Consider us impressed with their work.  Personally I would give them another challenge, a cake in the image of Bill Walton.

Kind of bummed though that the Yao Ming cake had to be cut. 

We just hope it wasn't totally life like if you know what I mean. 

Reports: Twitter Explodes Over Dwight Howards "Decision"--He'll Sign With The Rockets (UPDATED)

((UPDATE--Reports are circulating the Rockets are also on the verge of a "Sign-and-trade" deal with the Atlanta Hawks for Josh Smith. If that does take place, it would change some of the issues brought up below. Yes, it would make the Rockets the "Team to Beat" in the NBA West))

So. Can we say that possibly the most over-hyped sports story of the July 4th weekend will revolve around soon-to-be Houston Rockets center Dwight "Cry-baby" Howard?

Multiple reports say the mercurial 27-year old has decided to leave the Los Angeles Lakers and take his talents to Houston. We might mention that the Rockets have gone to great lengths this offseason to clear salary space by jettisoning multiple players and are looking to get rid of a few more players.

Howard in Houston would team with the talented James Harden, forward Chandler Parsons and a few "other guys" to give the Rockets the appearance of a "title" team.

Don't believe it.

Sure, they may compete, and really, outside Oklahoma City and maybe San Antonio and now probably the Los Angeles Clippers and possibly the Golden State Warriors, there's not a ton of teams who can compete for an NBA title. (Okay, so I named 4-others)

No, we aren't fans of Howard, whom we know from his days as a fairly likeable kid playing ball at SW Atlanta Christian School. But somewhere between there and the end of his run with the Orlando Magic, he turned into the prototypical "Spoiled-Brat" athlete.

And no, don't feel sorry for the LA Lakers, whose "Max" offer has been spurned. They knew going in that Howard could be a 1-year rental and that turned out to be true.

Sure, he may be a "Savior" for the decent, but not great Rockets, and we have no doubt he'll lead them to the playoffs, but when his "Contract" is up or if they don't win a title, which Dwight will they get? The "fun-loving", kid-friendly guy who wants to be part of a good team or the "me-first", find me a coach who runs an offense I like-guy whom he seems to have become....

Report: Did The Atlanta Hawks Violate Tampering Policy? (UPDATE: Yup, They Did...)

((ht: ajc.com))

Well, that's another fine mess the marketing department may have made.

According to a report Tuesday afternoon in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Atlanta Hawks sent a letter to possible season-ticket buyers that mentions the possibility of the team acquiring Dwight Howard and Chris Paul.

Problem is: It may have violated the NBA Anti-Tampering policy since it apparently while both are pending "Free-Agents" they apparently can't be mentioned as targets by the team until after July 1st.

It's not July 1st. (at least not as of this posting date)

The paper says neither the Hawks nor the NBA will comment about it, but mentioning players by name before July 1st has been a big "No-No" in NBA circles. It's cost the Hawks and other teams a good bit of money in the past.

Read the entire AJC.com story explaining it RIGHT HERE

We kind of feel bad for the Hawks, but this is sort of funny. They have an incredible penchant for doing stuff that most teams know not to do. It doesn't appear, at least based on the report, that the team upper management was aware of this, but they should have been.

And if they didn't, well, that's a pretty big front office failure. While it would be nice to say "Marketing went rogue", the assumption should be nothing goes out without the boss's approval.

And certainly the Atlanta Spirit would operate like that...

Would they?

MONDAY UPDATE: The Hawks were fined an undisclosed amount for violating the anti-tampering policy.

The NBA is saying that three teams violated the policy- just not saying who it was.
The Rockets were reportedly another team that was guilty.

In a statement to the AJC last week, Hawks president Bob Williams said, “The (first) letter that has been referred to was written by one of our season-ticket reps of his own volition. While certainly he is a member of our business staff, his specific reference clearly does not represent how our basketball operations or our business staff have consistently communicated about free agency. It is unfortunate that this mistake, by a single ticket rep with no ill intent, occurred.”


Deadspin is reporting that is was former first-round draft pick Cal Bowdler who sent the e-mail blast...

ICYMI: Pantsless Child Videobomb Alert!

((ht: csnhouston.com))

Haha! This is really funny. Though somehow we're guessing there's some segment of the Politically Correct Police out there who will be offended that either you are seeing a small child without pants on TV or that some parent let their child walk pantsless around a basketball arena.

Either way, the postgame show after the Houston Rockets/Oklahoma City NBA Playoff game Wednesday night got much more amusing than we're guessing it normally is. And no, the post game show hosts didn't seem to notice.

Check out the video:

Thunder Ballboy Sends Death Threat To Patrick Beverley

((HT: CBS Sports/Moore))

Really...???
A ball boy...???

From the Oklahoma City Thunder, there is obvious anger and concern at chasing an NBA title without their classiest post-game dresser Russell Westbrook. Westbrook tore his meniscus in a move where he and the Rockets' Patrick Beverley got tangled up...

Hyah...
((HT: NBA/KFOR-TV))


Welp...

From The Houston Chronicle:

Mitchell Brown sent a tweet that threatened, “Patrick Beverly (sic), I'm coming to kill you.” He sent another using Beverley's Twitter handle; “@pavbev21 I'm coming to kill you.”

Capt. Dexter Nelson, a spokesman for the Oklahoma City Police Department, said officers in conjunction with the Houston Police Department and the NBA are looking into what he described as “Internet threats.”

Thunder spokesperson Matt Tumbleson said, “We do not condone his comments. He works game nights on a voluntary basis. We will handle this matter internally.”

Shortly after Thunder officials were told of the tweets, Brown deleted them with an apology:

“Yesterday I posted something completely inappropriate and I need to apologize. I was out of line and it will not happen again.”

He later removed that tweet and instead said his account was hacked.

“@patbev21 yesterday someone tweeted on my account making a death threat towards you and it wasn't me. I apologize.”

The Chronicle also said on their pages that extra security was in place regardless of what happened over Twitter...

ICYMI: Monta Ellis With The Walk-Off Buzzer Beater

Alrighty then. Nothing like winning a game with the crazy, off balance prayer of a 3-pointer and immediately sprinting off the court rather than celebrating.

That's exactly what happened last night in Houston when Monta Ellis of the Milwaukee Bucks let his team head out of town victorious with a 110-107 win over the Houston Rockets.

There's not much more narrative we can give here, so watch the NBA.com video:

Blake Griffin vs. Chandler Parsons: Who ya got?

((ht: thebiglead.com))

Oh, this is fantastic.

It appears that the unknown war of jokes between LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin and Houston Rockets forward Chandler Parsons has escalated after it appears Griffin hit Parsons in the family jewels after a recent game.

See the video here:



The funniest part: They are, according to the person who posted this on YouTube, good friends who like to prank each other.

This is pretty good.

From Parsons twitter page @chandlerparsons: Seriously dude? @blakegriffin , @Deadspin

Griffin @blakegriffin: @chandlerparsons sprained my wrist and had to keep it moving...My bad didn't even see you.

Oh, by the way, it appears Griffin named his dog after the aforementioned Mr. Parsons. And yes, they are both in on the joke.

Read thescore.com story RIGHT HERE

OK. We find this pretty funny. And it appears the jokes are escalating. Though not everyone has quite seen the humor.

Check out The Big Lead's story RIGHT HERE

We do find the whole thing very funny. In fact, though hardly Clipper fans we do like Griffin the player and we think he's one of the more original, funny characters in pro sports today. And we hope he keeps it up.

As for Mr. Parsons, we aren't quite as familiar with him, though if he indeed is that friendly with Griffin, well, he's been served. 

Your turn sir....

Dikembe Mutombo saves the World: AWESOMENESS!

Thank you Old Spice or whomever came up with this.

How many of you are sitting at your computer terminal saying "I need to play a video game featuring former NBA center Dikembe Mutombo?

You should all say an emphatic YES! I want to play Dikembe Mutombo's 4 1/2 Weeks to save the World!

Some genius came up with the game, where Mutombo presents you with a series of games that will add days to the calendar in order to avoid the predicted Mayan Apocalypse. (Not made up)

The best part is the Real Mutombo voice and what's even better is the Mutombo finger as your cursor.

Here is the game, remember "Nobody Comes Into Mutombo's House!"----

New Gotye Parody: The Jeremy Lin I Used to Know

Because, well, apparently the YouTube community...or America at large can't get enough of these.

And we apologize in advance for getting the Gotye song stuck in your head...again.

In today's Gotye parody, a despondent New York Knicks fan (looks the part), laments about his team losing the one and only Jeremy Lin to the Houston Rockets, who were willing to pay him an obscene amount of money.

And...the Hilarity ensues...though we suppose that depends on your sense of humor.

The video Courtesy of NOC/YouTube:

Dwight Howard is a Douchebag: Trade Scenario #312

We really haven't weighed in on this and there is no "Concrete" story per say, but it is an opportunity to weigh in on the NBA's biggest (literally) con man.

Dwight Howard wants people to believe that he is a "Great" NBA Basketball player with a big heart who does tons of charitable things.

We will grant that he does a lot of charitable things.

Dwight Howard is quickly becoming the most hated player in the NBA, taking the throne from LeBron James.

And we say that after covering Howard in high school and interviewing him several times, we really thought he was a good dude who wasn't in it for the money and genuinely wanted to be liked.

We were wrong.

Sure, we get that players are entitled to make as much money as they can while they play, we get that. And that isn't an issue here.

The Orlando Magic have said many times they'd be willing to pay Howard, who when motivated can be one of the league's best players.

But he has rebuffed them at every turn and said "I won't play for you". Dwight wants to go to New York. Brooklyn to be specific. But the Nets have decided they can't trade for Howard and have moved on.

So now other suitors are trying to get the EGOMANIAC.

Now worshipping at his alter. The Houston Rockets.

The Rockets, according to Chad Ford of ESPN, are offering 4 players and 3 draft picks for Howard and a trio of expiring Magic contracts. And while we get Houston trying to land a marquee player, they would be renting Howard who says he won't sign a new deal anywhere but Brooklyn. The trade will never happen.

Why is Dwight Howard a Douchebag?

Because he has been stringing Orlando along. Because he has made it virtually impossible for them to trade him even though he says he doesn't want to play there. Because if they can't trade him, the Magic will get nothing when he walks away.

The NBA is now rife with Elite players who only want to play on teams with other Elite players. (See the Heat) And that is a BIG problem. They are enabling whiny, crybabies like Howard.

Is Howard within his rights to leave Orlando? Absolutely. We don't begrudge that. What qualifies him as a DOUCHEBAG is that he is making it virtually impossible for the Magic to trade him. What qualifies him as a DOUCHEBAG is the whining that he is the victim here.

Yeah, you got Stan Van Gundy fired. Nobody made a secret about that. Why did you feel the need to do that if you weren't going to come back and play there? Heck, Van Gundy likely would have been given the ax if you hadn't said a word. But you couldn't help yourself.

Dude, what happened to you? You were a shining example of the good things professional athletes do at one point not to long ago. And you've killed that good will. Your image now is that of the ultimate greedy bastard. And that of a whiny bitch who has been neglected and abused.

Why couldn't you do this honorably? Why can't you just say "I'm not going to return" see if you can work out a trade? You are certainly within your rights to do that. Don't say, "I want to come back to Orlando for my final season even if I'm not playing after my contract is done". If you do come back, you are going to get "Booed" out of your own building.

We just shake our collective heads here. It's unfortunate. For all of the good things that you've done in the past, Dwight, you've ruined your reputation in the span of 6-months.

Good luck in your future, you're going to need it.

Remeber this? Possibly the most awkward interview ever...

Lakers Jordan Hill Now Up On Felony Charges

((HT: KTRK-TV/ESPN))

Here's Lakers forward Jordan Hill discussing the initial charge of assaulting his girlfriend when he was back in Houston...


Hill is now up on felony charges for choking her the last day of February...
He will have to make an appearance in Houston to face the "third-degree felony for assault on a family member by choking" charge.

He could face a sentence of two to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. A warrant for his arrest will be issued once all the proper paperwork is filed in Harris County Court.

Both Hill and the Lakers issued written word today...

"I'm saddened to learn of the accusations that were filed against me today," Hill said. "At this time I cannot comment further other than to say that my attorneys are working to gather all of the facts and evidence and I plan to cooperate completely with the authorities.

"I'd like to apologize to the Lakers organization and to all of their fans for the untimeliness of these accusations. I promise to keep my focus and attention on the playoffs during this time and to helping my team win another championship."

And, now, the Lakers...

"We are aware of the media reports alleging an incident involving Jordan Hill from two months ago when he was a member of the Houston Rockets. We do not have any details regarding these reports and therefore, as well as due to the personal and legal aspects, it would not be appropriate for us to comment. Any further inquiries regarding this should be directed to Jordan's representative."

Here's the local reports from Houston...

Kevin Love stomps on Luis Scola

Or more specifically, Luis Scola's face.

Last night during the Houston Rockets/Minnesota Timberwolves game in Minnesota, there was a somewhat ugly incident.

Timberwolves forward and star player Kevin Love gets tangled up with Rockets forward Luis Scola. You can see on the wide shot, Love appears to hip toss Scola to the ground...which is bad.

It gets worse as Love steps over Scola...and plants his foot in Scola's face.

And no, at least on video, it doesn't look like an accident.