Oklahoma Thunder Players Do Car Commercial With Helium

((ht: cbssports.com))

Oh, those wacky car dealer TV commercials.

This one is actually something we've never seen before.

Check out what happened when an Edmond, Oklahoma car dealer got a handful of Oklahoma Thunder basketball players to do a promo for them complete with balloons.

Serge Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins, Nick Collison and Reggie Jackson got their hands on some of those balloons. Balloons that they inhaled the helium from to voice the spot.

Nothing says funny better than NBA Players and helium voice---does it?

Nice Move: Utah Jazz Sign 5-Year Old Leukemia Patient to Contract

((ht: utahjazz.com))

It was only for a day, but for 5-year old acute lymphoblastic leukemia patient JP Gibson it was a day he will never, ever forget.

Gibson, from Layton, Utah, just outside Salt Lake City, signed a "one-day" scrimmage contract to play for his hometown Utah Jazz Monday night. And all night long, he was the star of the game.

There's not much else we can add to this story other than smiling while adding this: Even though professional sports sometimes gets things wrong, more often than not, their hearts are in the right place. If you need proof of this, just watch the video...

Thanks UtahJazz.com:

Eerily Fascinating: Video Shows Kobe Bryant and Micheal Jordan Similarities

Okay, this is incredibly cool, but really creepy at the same time.

Someone took the time to comb through and compare highlights of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant and edit them together.

That editor found that the similarities between the two was to say the least startling....

And quite honestly, we find it amazing. But it really does explain several things. If you are of a certain age and loved basketball like Kobe does, you probably modeled a lot of the things you did after the G.O.A.T...

This video proves it--

Brian Scalabrine: NBA Player and Comedy Genius

Look Familiar

((ht: csnne.com))

This folks, is one of the best pieces of Sports satire we may ever have read.

Brian Scalabrine, career 12th man for numerous NBA teams is returning to one of the teams he played for in years gone by: The Boston Celtics. Only this time it's as a broadcaster.

Ever the comedian and good-natured guy, Scalabrine decided to sit down with a writer--(ok, himself) and write a letter to the good people of Boston to explain his decision to come "home"....

Quoth the Scalabrine:

"I've learned a great deal in my time spent with four franchises...actually five if you count my stint in Italy because of the lockout. What was the purpose of the lockout again? I will always think of Chicago as my third home and Oakland probably as my fourth home...but not like downtown Oakland, more like the suburbs"

And yes, if you read the letter, which is too lengthy to post in it's entirety, you'll understand exactly who he is spoofing.

The "White Mamba" comes home--courtesy CSNNew England is RIGHT HERE\

Yes, he did...

We have nothing but respect for guys like this. Guys who are thankful for the opportunity to live out a dream and self-aware enough to have fun with it.

Can't wait to hear him call a game...

Check out the "Scallenge" a segment from a couple years ago when the "Mamba" took on the challenge of some smack talking fans:

NBA Starts Process To Get Rid Of Sterling (UPDATED With Reax)

((ht: usatoday.com))

And so it begins.

The NBA has taken the 1st official steps to begin the process of removing Donald Sterling as the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers.

The league has filed official "Charges" stating Sterling has "engaged in conduct that has damaged and continues to damage the NBA and it's teams".

We could go on and on about the various groups the highly controversial owner has managed to find a way to insult over the past month, but it would take a little longer than we have to write this.

The leagues press release states Sterling has until May 27th to respond to the charges and a hearing to end his ownership will happen June 3rd.

And yes, Sterling has already said he'll fight any and all comers and is prepared to have his lawyers do what he believes necessary.

Unfortunately, this is the outcome most expected. Sadly this may get uglier...much uglier, before it gets resolved.

Kinda like this...
((HT: ABC7 Los Angeles))


Here is the release in full from the NBA:

The NBA initiated a charge today seeking to terminate the ownership of Donald Sterling in the Los Angeles Clippers. If the NBA Board of Governors sustains the charge by a 3/4 vote, all ownership interests in the Clippers will be terminated and the team will be sold to new owners.

The NBA Constitution provides Mr. Sterling with the opportunity to respond to the charge by May 27, as well as the right to appear and make a presentation at a special meeting of the Board of Governors. This hearing, which is planned for June 3, will be presided over by NBA Board of Governors Chairman Glen Taylor, the controlling Governor of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The charge asserts that Mr. Sterling engaged in conduct that has damaged and continues to damage the NBA and its teams. Among other things, Mr. Sterling disparaged African-Americans and “minorities”; directed a female acquaintance not to associate publicly with African-Americans or to bring African-Americans to Clippers games; and criticized African-Americans for not supporting their communities.

Mr. Sterling’s actions and positions significantly undermine the NBA’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion; damage the NBA’s relationship with its fans; harm NBA owners, players and Clippers team personnel; and impair the NBA’s relationship with marketing and merchandising partners, as well as with government and community leaders. Mr. Sterling engaged in other misconduct as well, including issuing a false and misleading press statement about this matter.

All of these acts provide grounds for termination under several provisions of the NBA Constitution and related agreements.

1815 UPDATE: Leaving no opportunity to waste, Shelly Sterling's attorney Pierce O'Donnell released a statement as well...

Shelly Sterling's lawyer, Pierce O'Donnell, released a statement on Monday.

"We have just received the voluminous charges and are beginning the process of carefully reviewing them," O'Donnell said. "Based on our initial assessment, we continue to believe there is no lawful basis for stripping Shelly Sterling of her 50 percent ownership interest in the Clippers. She is the innocent estranged spouse. We also continue to hope that we can resolve this dispute with the NBA for the good of all constituencies."

Video of the Day: ESPN Staffer Says What Everyone Outside Thinks on an ESPN Show

Hahahahaha!

This is easily the highlight of the day. A great way to wrap up what's otherwise been a crappy week.

We and many, many other blogs have often called out the folks at ESPN for an "East Coast bias" or in some cases just picking favorites or creating stories where stories don't exist.

And guess, what. One of their own called them out on it. On one of their own TV shows.

Watch what happens on the lame ESPN show called "Numbers Never Lie". (Yeah, we've never watched it either)

Anyway, filling in today was ESPN radio host and ESPN Women writer Sarah Spain who was on the panel with Michael Smith and Jorge Something or other.

For some reason, the subject of the show became Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks. A team not in the playoffs and who had a crappy season. Yet the two male co-hosts could only talk about what the Knicks could do if they were in the playoffs.

That opening was all Spain had to hear. She tore into the pair and into ESPN's "East Coast Bias" saying they'd rather talk about a New York team out of the playoffs than any of the teams in the playoffs. And that nobody cares about the Knicks right now, we can talk about them when we talk about NEXT season.

And she's right. Nobody outside the Northeastern U.S cares right now. Nobody.

Watch and smile like we did.

Gregg Popovich's Message to Craig Sager: True Class

For all the grief San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich gets about his gruff and often short answers when being interviewed during games, nobody can give him grief anymore.

Pop did what can only be called one of the classiest things a coach could ever do as a sign of respect.

During Sunday's Spurs game vs. Dallas on TNT, Popovich came over to do an interview between the 3rd and 4th quarter.

((NOTE--San Antonio won the game--90-85))

Only this time, instead of the sartorial (look it up) unique stylings of TNT's regular sideline reporter Craig Sager, Pop was talking to Sager's son.

The reason.

The widely respect Sager announced this week that he had Leukemia and would not be able to take his customary role during the NBA Postseason while he battles the disease.

So, Sager's son, Craig Jr. took over the role, which was supposed to be a taped piece to send to his father. Only Popovich's response changed that.

Arrived this morning to do a taped interview with Pop. He goes no, we're doing this live 3rd qtr just like your Dad. pic.twitter.com/RPAwIt7tvR
— Craig Sager II (@CraigSagerJr) April 20, 2014

The reason: Popovich had a message for Junior's ill father:



How often does this happen?

Not very.

To top it off....Popovich and the Spurs had a personal message to deliver to Sager.

Popovich gave me a hand written letter to give my Dad tomorrow. The whole Spurs organization is filled with class and great people. Thanks
— Craig Sager II (@CraigSagerJr) April 20, 2014

And if you ever wonder why the entire basketball world respects the Spurs, Popovich and everyone surrounding them. Your question is now answered.

Your 3/4 Court Turkish League Buzzer Beater for the Win

((ht: bleacherreport.com))

We see lots of buzzer beaters in basketball because quite honestly, the game is played at a gazillion levels all over the world.

That being said--Check out this one from the Turkish League.

Zoran Planinic of the Andolu Efes shows us one of the longer shots you'll ever see. Planinic grabs a missed free throw with his team trailing 60-58 and the clock winding towards zero. He turns, takes a dribble and launches the ball in the general direction of his teams basket.

And yes, it went in. Game over. Efes win 61-58....

Your video:

Happy Dikembe Mutumbo Christmas

((ht: thebiglead.com))

We are marks for pretty much anything with former NBA Center Dikembe Mutumbo in it.

It's in that spirit on this Christmas Eve that wish you all a Merry Christmas--

Jimmer Fredette Plays Pickup Game With Neighborhood Kids

((ht: news10.net))

Ok, if you are an elementary school age kid, this would have to have been pretty cool.

A couple of Sacramento area kids playing hoops in their driveway this past week decided they need someone else to round out their game.

So they did what any kid would do, go down the street and see if one of the neighbors would come play.

Only that neighbor was Sacramento Kings guard Jimmer Fredette. Fredette, who happened to be home at the time, decided it sounded like fun.

Game on---

News 10 in Sacramento has more:

Video Bomb Wars Continue: LeBron Returns Fire on Dwayne Wade

Haha!

Who doesn't love a good video bomb battle?

Mere days after Dwayne Wade got the best of Miami Heat teammate LeBron James by doing this...



Wednesday night, LeBron fired back. And yeah, it was pretty funny too:



We eagerly await the return fire...

Whoa! Scary Collapsing Basket at Globetrotters Game

((ht: bleacherreport.com))

Yikes! Harlem Globetrotters power dunker Bull Bullard is a lucky man.

Check out this video of the teams game in Honduras, the team goes through their slight of hand, ball handling tricks before putting up a couple of passes against the backboard.

Bullard then swoops in for the big finish.

And brings down the house, literally. The basket collapses on him and the glass backboard shattered. Bullard got a cut on his head, but was apparently okay.

Craziness---

Scottie Pippen Questioned After Allegedly Decking Autograph Seeker (Update)

((ht: tmz.com))

--Update at bottom of story--

So there's this. NBA legend and former Chicago Bull, Scottie Pippen spent part of his Monday in a Malibu, California police station answering questions over an altercation with an alleged autograph seeker.

According to TMZ.com, Pippen got in a confrontation with a man who asked him for an autograph. The report says Pippen punched the guy in the face, then repeatedly kicked him, knocking the guy cold.

But Malibu police did not arrest Pippen on the scene.

The report says Pippen was named a "Suspect" in a felony assault among other things. You'd think that if anyone saw what happened that would be enough, but we could be wrong.

Read the TMZ report from Monday afternoon RIGHT HERE

So...if Pippen didn't beat the crap out of the guy who did? Has anyone else been named a suspect? If not, then why is Pippen only a "Suspect"? Yet the LA County PD says that Pippen was involved in the altercation...hmmm...

All legitimate questions, but unfortunately, the primary reporting source on the story is TMZ, whom we wonder if they posed said questions.

Update 6:45pm est--According to the Chicago Tribune, LA County Police say Pippen has been very cooperative and is not being charged because "There's more here than meets the eye"

That would lead one to believe that Pippen would have been defending himself. Though many questions remain to be answered.

Roy Hibbert Docked $75K For Post Game Gay Slur

Nobody will ever really know what possessed Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert to say what he did during a post-game interview after the Pacers Game 6 win over the Miami Heat Saturday night.

But he said it.

For some reason, he responded to a question about defending Heat star LeBron James by saying "No Homo".

And though Hibbert has apologized for saying it, it's not something you can really take back. Even by reaching out to Jason Collins, wasn't going to cut it.

With that in mind, the NBA announced Sunday afternoon Hibbert would get a $75,000 fine.

Yes, NBA Commish David Stern has said he believes Hibbert is sincere in his apologies, he still had to fine him. And he's right.

Hibbert is not the first NBA player...or athlete to say things such as this and whether you like it or not, you just can't say stuff like that.

At some point, homophobic comments are going to cost athletes a game. Quite honestly, Hibbert is somewhat fortunate this one didn't cost him one. With the Heat and Pacers going to a game 7 in their hard-fought East Division finals, there's no way something like this would cost a starter for either team a game.

But eventually it will....

And before you say it, we haven't reported on this up until now. That's why we are posting the video of Saturday nights presser:

ICYMI: Great Game: Heat Barely Beat Pacers in OT

Yes, the NBA Playoff go on forever, but every once in awhile, the games can be absolutely fantastic to watch.

That was the case Wednesday night as the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers squared off in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Heat won 103-102 in Overtime.

The game went back and forth, close most of the way.

Paul George nearly won the game for the Pacers by himself.

He drained a long, 32-foot 3-point shot to tie the game at the end of regulation.

Here are his amazing highlights, including the 3-pointer and nearly winning the game with 2.2 seconds left in overtime. George finished with 27-points



But George was topped by the seemingly incomparable LeBron James. James had a triple double (30-pts, 10-rebounds, 10-assists) and scored when needed.

He was needed as his driving layup at the buzzer in overtime provided the difference, winning the game.

Chris Bosh was Robbed

((ht: sunsentinel.com))

No, really, he was actually robbed by people yet undetermined.

It appears that Mr. Bosh and his wife returned home early Thursday morning from his "Birthday Bash" at Miami Beach's Bamboo Club to find that quite a few valuables were taken from his home.

According to reports, the list includes purses, jewelry, cash and watches. Value estimate at nearly $480,000.

And according to the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, there were 5-people in the home when the robbery allegedly happened. Reports say 2 babysitters, his 2 kids and an unidentified person were all in the house at the time of the alleged robbery.

Read the Sun-Sentinel report RIGHT HERE

Security has often become an issue for NBA players, many of whom live lavish lifestyles and have multiple people hanging around them at any given time. Many are family and friends, but many are also "Friends" of friends and other assorted people looking for a handout.

Bosh did tell police that his home is under video surveillance, but that the alarm was off because people were home.

No word on suspects, the investigation appears to be continuing.

Knicks G Iman Shumpert sings for his team

((ht: biglead.com))

So, it's probably not a stretch to say that quite a few pro basketball players aspire to be rap stars.

Such is the case with New York Knicks guard Iman Shumpert.

Shumpert recorded a song proclaiming his love, affection and devotion to his team and talks...well, raps about his teammates and their skills. And while the sentiment is admirable, the singing voice isn't so much.

But we respect the effort and at least it's pretty much G or...PG rated. And it's his teams chance to boast a bit. The Knicks have one of the NBA's best records thus far in this young season. A far cry from just 3-years ago, when they were one of the NBA's worst.

Listen and judge for your ownselves.

Idiot fans threaten Lakers Coach Mike Brown's son

((ht: ocregister.com))

Why do people these days feel so compelled to take out their frustrations on random people for no apparent reason?

It appears that ignorant, stupid and moronic fans of the LA Lakers are taking to Twitter to threaten coach Mike Brown's high school age son over the Lakers slow start.

Elijah Brown plays basketball for his L.A area high school and has taken the threats seriously, but isn't concerned by them. And maybe he shouldn't. But it's a horrible statement about fans that needs to be addressed.

Read the story from the Orange County Register RIGHT HERE

It never ceases to amaze us how Sports Fans panic over things that are completely inconsequential. Yeah, sure, the Lakers have started 1-4....but they have what...77 more games to play? Worry about things in game 77, not game 5.

But it's indicative of a problem in Sports and lately in life. People feel compelled to lash out via Social Media over what they believe to be wrong. And most of them have no idea how easy it is to track them or for what they say to offend someone.

And yet it keeps happening.

Sure, yeah, everyone is entitled to have their own opinion. And their own belief system. If you feel compelled to share it with like minded friends or family, that's fine.

But don't start threatening kids over it! EVER!

We wish the Brown family or the Lakers would track the dumb asses making these threats down and have them prosecuted. It's not hard to do. Really. If you are stupid enough to do such a thing, it's not likely you are going to be smart enough to cover your online tracks.

Okay, time to stop now....

Hulk Hogan and Shaquille O'Neal: This is comedy? Or Pathetic

Wow, guess we missed the announcement that Shaquille O'Neal started his own YouTube Alleged Comedy Channel.

And we promise you this will be the ONE and only time we are going to mention it.

In today's episode, our hero gets pushed around by 97-year old wrestling legend Hulk Hogan. Whom Shaq has about a half foot and a hundred pounds on.

Shaq allegedly had committed some sort of affront to someone named Godfrey. And no, we apparently are NOT hip, because we have no idea whom Mr. Godfrey is.

Hulk comes in for the save, appears to go for a "ChokeSlam"...or at least that's what the YouTube title says.

The (do the finger quote thing) "Choke Slam" is more like the 112-year old Hogan pushing O'Neal sort of...and O'Neal flopping onto a couch.

**Note**--This year in the NBA, it would cost O'Neal some money for flopping like this.

**Note #2**--This isn't going to distract any celebrity sex tape watchers who seem fascinated by a Hulk Hogan sex tape making the rounds. (No, we aren't posting that here--and NEVER WILL)

**Note #3**--Maybe it is our lack of sleep, but we don't think so...this isn't even the SLIGHTEST BIT FUNNY.

At all.

And yet this exists. Though we promise to never share anything like it....ever again.

Your Blake Griffin highlight of the night

((ht: nba.com))

We just kind of enjoy posting highlights of LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin. He's one of the few NBA players we like watching play.

The guy just likes to dunk the basketball. And not just the two hand, barely over the rim type.

No.

He seems to posterize someone just about once a week.

Here's this weeks poster: