Kobe For President: Kobe Bryant Wants To Reduce Homelessness In L.A.

 

For the past two years, Kobe Bryant has been playing in the NBA Finals trying to bring home the NBA title, but this year he’s trying to do something else for the city of Los Angeles.
The Lakers superstar and his wife, Vanessa, have formed the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation, which is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to reduce homelessness in Los Angeles.
This is an issue local politicians should be taking up, but since they aren’t doing so, Kobe and Vanessa will.
Kobe is scheduled to hold a press conference today at ‘My Friends’s Place,’ a nonprofit resource center. During the press conference he’ll speak on plans to raise funds, provide educational resources, and create housing for those in need.
It’s always nice to see someone as privileged as Kobe actively giving back to the community. Hopefully, next year he’ll hold off his charitable contributions until after L.A. wins the 2012 NBA championship.

Lakers Guard Shannon Brown & Monica To Have Second Ceremony July 9th In Los Angeles

 

Lakers guard Shannon Brown and R&B diva Monica were married an intimate ceremony last November. Now the couple is ready for a bigger ceremony that involves at least 300 guests.

The couple will have a “public viewing” of them exchanging vows on July 9th (Public viewing??? I guess) The two met a year ago when Monica was filming the video for her single “Love all over me” Check the invites:

Dwyane Wade On His Life As A Superstar NBA Single Father

 

Dwyane Wade is currently battling for his second NBA title with the Voltron-formed Miami Heat. This season has been more than just the professional challenge of dealing with the flack of the “Big 3″ joining up for DWade. He also was was awarded physical custody of his 2 sons. He recently shared his thoughts on being a “Superstar NBA single father with Newsweek:

I’ve had some ups and downs lately, but the memories of the unpleasant times disappear quickly, in part because of moments like the one recently when I was able to surprise my younger son, Zion, at his school with cupcakes for his fourth birthday. It was the day after we’d won the Eastern Conference finals, but that victory couldn’t compare with the huge smile on Zion’s face at that moment. I will never forget it. Bad memories vanish each morning when I walk into both of my sons’ bedrooms to wake them up for school—their laughter gives me all I need to face whatever is happening in my life. Not too long ago, due to custody issues, I wasn’t allowed to see my sons for long periods of time, or was given the chance to see them for only a few hours with no idea of if or when I’d see them again. I can’t describe how trying those days were, fighting for full custody while also working as a professional basketball player nine months of the year. I just knew I wanted to be with my kids.
I was seriously motivated to be a full-time parent for my sons. My mother and father weren’t together when I was a kid growing up in Chicago, and early on my mother fell victim to drug abuse. At 9 years old, I moved in with my father because my mother could no longer care for me. Looking back, I now see so many similarities between my own childhood and that of my sons. My father stepped in when I needed him, and that gave me the chance for a better life. That’s what I’m doing for my boys now.
All children need their fathers, but boys especially need fathers to teach them how to be men. I remember wanting that so badly before I went to live with my dad. I wanted someone to teach me how to tie a tie and walk the walk, things only a man can teach a boy.
I’ve gotten a lot of support from my mother, sister, and others in taking care of my boys and making their new living arrangements a smooth and happy transition. Going forward, I want my sons to have a healthy relationship with their mother, and that’s something we’re working on. I hope to have a great relationship with her one day too, because I know how much it meant to me to see my parents get along as time went on.

It is my opinion that something has to be really wrong for a judge to give full physical custody to a father. At the same time, I can’t say that it’s a bad thing. I think it’s great that there are fathers stepping up to take an active role in their children’s lives as the perception is that most (especially black athletes) don’t really care about “spreading their seeds” everywhere and being physically responsible for that choice (as opposed to just signing a child support check)
Also, interesting, in February, Dwyane’s girlfriend, Gabrielle Union was appointed to a special council by President Obama, now DWade has been appointed to a separate one. Power couple!

Wade was recently appointed by President Obama to a new parenting program geared toward encouraging fathers to become more involved in their children’s lives.

NBA Rumor: Chicago Bulls Exploring Trade for Carlos Boozer

 

Insiders breaking word that the Chicago Bulls are looking into potential suitors for Carlos Boozer

This will not come as a surprise to many.

After a post-season that included 12 ppg, 9.7 rpg, and 1.8 apg, it became clear that Boozer hasn’t become what many thought he would: the Robin to Derrick Rose’s Batman.

Chicago could very well have realized that Taj Gibson has proven himself worthy of a starting job in Chicago, thus resulting in the preliminary thoughts of a Boozer trade.

It should also be noted that Boozer was reportedly deemed to suffer from ’turf toe’ this past season.

Expect the Bulls to look for a second scorer on the perimeter, and to sweeten the deal, expect a pick or two to be thrown in.

Potential teams the Bulls could look to deal with are the Warriors, Sixers, and possibly the Rockets.

Stay tuned for more news, and for up-to-the-second updates follow me on twitter!

Barkley thinks Shaq will get an Analyst fired

 

 

After Shaquille O'Neal called it quits after 19 NBA seasons, many people around the NBA and even Shaq knew that we had not just seen the last of Shaq on our televisions. Charles Barkley was just one of those people to believe that Shaq is planning to come to our televisions through the NBA analyst route that many other former NBA players, like himself, has done. Although Barkley sees the situation as a negative for the current NBA analysts on whichever channel Shaq ends up signing too. "Somebody is gonna be fired whether it’s at TNT or ESPN. He’s gonna get a TV job if he wants it. Somebody is getting their final walking papers as we speak." Of course it is plausible that someone may be fired due to Shaq becoming a TV-like "free agent" and a studio wanting and needing to make room for the 7'1 Hall of Famer. ESPN would be the one company that would most likely fire someone to make room for Shaquille O'Neal

Joakim Noah Calls The Heat “Hollywood”, Gabrielle Union Responds

 

I LIKE Joakim Noah. He says whatever is on his mind. After the Bulls went down in flames in game 5, Noah had this to say about the “Hollywood as hell” Miami Heat

After that, Gabrielle Union fires off a subtweet to Joakim:

I see you Gabby, hold your man down!
He wasn’t lying though.

Kobe Bryant’s Right Knee Issues.

Lakers trainer Gary Vitti has come out with news regarding the status of Kobe Bryant’s right knee.

It’s not in career ending shape but it’s degenerating. No real surprises there, that’s basic biology. 15 years and a few knee surgeries will do that to you. But it is curious timing that information is being released. It’s important and relevant but is it a reaction to the moves Lakers GM Jim Buss is making?
Back in January it was revealed that the Lakers star wasn’t really practicing. the response then was, in order to protect his knee and avoid a situation “like last year”, the decision was made before the season to sacrifice the team’s intensity by minimizing wear and tear as much as possible.’”
Don’t think that worked out so well because obviously the team doesn’t push itself as hard if Kobe isn’t there day in and day out. Yes that’s what leaders are supposed to do but what about self motivation and injury. Guess that’s why the Lakers are at home right?





Jim Buss recently came out and said it wasn’t the best move not to at least let Kobe know before the announcement that Mike Brown will be the new head coach.

It concerns me that Jim Buss didn’t think it prudent to notify his “franchise Player” that he had selected a Coach. No, they are not obligated to get Kobe’s input on hiring decisions but, if you’ve set that precedent in the past, you better have a contingency plan if there is a change in direction now.
If Jim Buss has plans to go away from Kobe, he should know that won’t be a quiet battle. As a GM shouldn’t you have a better plan than “I should’ve thought to do that?” Doesn’t that fall under the entry level portion of your job? If Bynum is “your guy” and you’re ready for the franchise and fan base to embrace that concept, how are you communicating that information?

Dwight Howard Said No Truth To Contract Extension Rumors

Did Orlando Magic fans really believe that Dwight Howard would sign an extension with no clear indication that his own version of the “Big 3″ was on board? Well, in case you believed he would, he has come out and  

stated that reports of an extension are untrue.

“There’s no truth to that,” Howard told reporters in Birmingham, Ala., where he was on hand to help tornado victims.
Howard shot down the report and said, “The biggest thing right now is everybody understands I have one more year left. I’m keeping my options open, but there’s no other place I’d rather be than Orlando. I want them to understand that. “

Dwight may not follow in Shaq’s footsteps to L.A. (Looks like Jim Buss isn’t willing to part with Bynum anyway, welcome to Kobe’s new world) but I’m sure he’s watched the playoffs with everyone else and he can see what the Heat managed to do in one season. Which way do you really think Dwight’s leaning?
Come on, he put out a kid’s album and created a puppet for himself after Kobe and LeBron’s Nike campaign. Isn’t it obvious. :shrug:

Kenyon Martin Clarifies Rumors About He & Trina Reuniting

 

Just last week we saw pictures of the Nuggets Kenyon Martin hanging out on set with his Ex-girlfriend Trina for her “Look back at it” video shoot. Wait, I’m sorry, I need a moment, that whole statement is funny to me.

Anyway, after the holiday weekend, Kenyon- fresh from Vegas- took to Twitter with a response to the speculation that he and “The Baddest Chick” are seeing each other again.

Well, me being me. I wanted clarification so…

Darn, guess no Basketball Wives: Miami for Trina LOL

Photo's: Tony Parker’s New Girlfriend Revealed

We know that Eva Longoria has moved on since her break up with Tony Parker to Eduardo Cruz (the two were most recently spotted checking in for a flight to Miami), now it looks as if Tony has also found a new boo to keep him occupied. (at least while he’s in France enjoying the French Open and what not with Bradley Cooper)

Tony was spotted out with this mystery lady in France, no details about her have emerged yet but I’m sure a snitch or press release will come out soon enough with all the dirty details. :giggle: for now, check out the pictures.

Steve Nash to the Timberwolves? It Makes Sense For Minnesota

On paper, Steve Nash to the Timberwolves seems like it would never work. Especially if the main trade chip being sent to Phoenix is Jonny Flynn.

That trade seems less likely than coach Eric Taylor and Vince Howard’s dad becoming friends. (Yes, I’m watching the NBC version like it’s in real time.)
I would argue Nash to the Timberwolves makes great sense for both the Suns and the Timberwolves.

Yesterday it was reported that the Wolves and Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio reached an agreement on a contract starting in the 2011-12 season.

As result, Jonny Flynn becomes expendable for the Wolves… And also Sioux Falls.
Phoenix— who was on the brink of the 2010 NBA Finals– shipped away many of those key parts, and as a result failed to reach the playoffs this season.
While getting rid of Nash and bringing in Flynn’s 5.3 points and 3.4 assists may not go over well with Suns fans, it may be the right play.
The 36-year old Nash showed declining numbers in 2010-11, and most likely won’t be a part of any Suns title contender in the near future.
But he’s a perfect fit for the young Timberwolves.

Adding Nash instantly propels them into a playoff contender. But mainly allows for the sure Hall of Famer to mentor the young, raw, Ricky Rubio. (See Favre, Brett mentoring Rodgers, Aaron, and look how that paid off for the Packers.)

While I can’t stand player comparisons on the basis of their race, Nash is exactly who Rubio should strive to be.

Not a great shooter in his own right—although he’s far better than Rubio will probably ever be—Nash is a facilitator instead of a scorer. Which is what Rubio is and will be at the NBA level.
Sure the Wolves would love to make the playoffs, but the mentoring and being a role model for Rubio would be the greatest strength that Nash would bring to Minneapolis. You cannot quantitate that effect on the growth of Rubio as a player, but most importanty as a person living in the NBA lifestyle.
But the Suns would need the right offer.
Flynn– a young point guard that could… gulp… thrive in the right system—would be a nice fit behind newly acquired Aaron Brooks in Phoenix.





Flynn and the number two overall pick for Nash seems too hefty, even for David Kahn. I believe the Wolves number 20 selection would definitely be an appealing asset for the Suns.
Flynn and number 20 for Nash would be a trade the Suns would really have to look into. And a trade that would help the Wolves immensely.
While that offer may be appealing to the Suns, it may not be enough. But Flynn and 20 are a great starting point for discussions between the two teams.
It also appears that the Suns have interest in Flynn.
According to forward Jared Dudley’s Twitter, he retweeted a tweet that suggests Flynn was on the top of the Suns 2009 draft board.

RT @paulcoro: RT @Gambo620 Suns show interest in trading for johnny flynn.(PHX ranked him draft’s top P/R pt guard over Curry/Rubio/Jennings

Bill Ingram of HOOPSWORLD Suggests the Wolves have had discussions about pursuing Nash.

“There has been internal discussion about trading for Phoenix Suns All-Star guard Nash to mentor Rubio, but at this point that seems a bit far-fetched.”

While it may seem far-fetched in early June, once a CBA is reached– if it is reached in the off-season– then the Nash to the Timberwolves rumors may begin to heat up.
Until then, we can only speculate, but mainly celebrate the news that Rubio will finally be a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Steve Nash Spotted at NBA Finals with Girlfriend??? Damn Nash Going Public

Steve Nash must really be enjoying his off-season. The Phoenix Sun All-Star guard loves basketball so much, even in his spare time he catches a game…Nash was spotted at Game 2 of the NBA Finals…and he wasn’t alone…Nash was with his girlfriend  Brittany Richardson, the very same Brittany who Nash allegedly had an affair with during his ex-wife Alejandra’s last pregnancy…I’m not going to go over all the details again, and rehash the whole back story…Read below if you choose…From a PR standpoint, not a good look for Nash. It’s surprising to me he would choose the platform of the NBA Finals to go public with this relationship