News NBA officiating signals ... explained!
It wouldn't be the NBA Playoffs without some controversial officiating.So it’s probably worth brushing up on some common signals used during a game by the referees.
Picture Kevin Garnett stares down the NBA logo after he thinks he heard it disrespect him.
News Craig Sager Conducts Postgame Interview in a Suit of Armor
TNT sideline reporter Craig Sager conducted his postgame interviews last night following the Suns-Lakers game in a vintage suit of armor, reportedly from 1500s France.
"He did?" said Suns point guard Steve Nash, who was interviewed by Sager. "I honestly didn't notice. It seemed like something he normally wears. Huh."
Sager said he purchased the suit from the Phoenix Museum of History a few hours before the game.
"I was on my way to Dumbo Jim's Costume Shop to get a new suit it's one of the best men's clothiers in the country but happened to walk past the museum on my way and saw that suit of armor in the window," said Sager. "I knew I had to have it. They don't make suits that shiny anymore."
Just $40,000 later, the suit was his and he set off to a welder to get it fitted in time for the game.
"You have to raise your game for the playoffs, just like the players do," said Sager.
With that in mind, and with only a few games left in his season before ABC takes over basketball for the NBA Finals, Sager says he has the rest of his outfits already planned.
"Game 5 is a Hazmat suit, Game 6 I'll be dressed as an astronaut," said Sager. "And, if it goes seven, I'm wearing my birthday suit. But I'll have tassels on my nipples. You know, for decency."
News This is what the Canadian version of the game Operation looks like
Huh. That guy's face looks kind of familiar.
Video This will be what Nets games are like now that Prokhorov is in charge
This seems like a fun atmosphere. And also somehow terrifying. (VIDEO)
News If team seasons ended like TV show seasons
We are about to say goodbye to three more conference finalists. Their seasons will end with a loss. Outside of a championship win, it's the only way a team's season can win.
But TV shows can end a season several different ways. Here they are. With a look at how they might work in sports.
News NBA Fines Barack Obama $100K for Speaking Publicly About Lebron
One day after he suggested LeBron James should sign with the Chicago Bulls, the NBA fined President Barack Obama $100,000 for violating the league’s anti-tampering rules.
During an interview with Marv Albert, the President said that Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah are, “a pretty good core” and then added: “You know, you could see LeBron fitting in pretty well there."That was all the NBA front office needed to hear, as they slapped the Commander In Chief with the same fine given to Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who recently stated he will try to bring Lebron to Dallas.
“We want to remind everyone that no one is out of the NBA’s jurisdiction. If you go on the record about any player before July 1st, you are going to be fined," said Commissioner David Stern. "It doesn't matter what position you're in, even if it's perceived to be more powerful than mine."
This isn’t the first time an Administration has found itself in hot water with the world of professional sports. In 1962 the Kennedy Administration was slapped with a "cease and desist" notice by the NFL after organizing a Sunday game of two-hand touch football on the lawn of the White House,which directly coincided with a Redskins matchup. In 1997, President Clinton was fined by Nike after sporting a flag pin lapel instead of a pin with the Nike swoosh, per the conditions of a campaign donation. And in 2006, President George W. Bush was suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for cocaine following the first pitch at the Nationals Opening Day game.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the president hopes to speak with Commissioner Stern in hopes of avoiding the fine.
"I am sure they can come to a gentlemen's agreement," said Gibbs. "After all, the president did Commissioner Stern a favor last year and looked the other way when he used advance interrogation tactics on Tim Donaghy. No man should be forced to sit in a cell and answer questions from Craig Sager for 36 hours."
News Vince Carter Asks If He Can Play With His Warmups On
Orlando Magic guard Vince Carter told head coach Stan Van Gundy that he plans to leave his warmups on for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
"I don't want to get chilly," he said. "And warmups are just so comfortable. They're almost like pajamas. Keeping them on will really help me relax out there. That's what I need."
Van Gundy has told Carter that he may not keep his warmups on for the game. But the coach doubts it will matter.
"Hey, if Vince or any of my players listened to anything I told them to do or not do, I'd be a happy man," said Van Gundy. "But I think this series has shown I don't really have a purpose here."
In a desperate attempt to turn the series around, Van Gundy is even trying some reverse psychology on his team, stressing four keys to Game 4: Don't Rebound, Don't Defend, Don't Take Good Shots, Don't Play With Energy.
"I can definitely do all those," Carter said. "And so I think coach needs to meet my halfway. That's why I'm wearing my warm-ups."
The former North Carolina, Raptors and Nets star dismissed those who might say wearing warmups is another sign that Carter is soft or lazy.
"Ridiculous," he said. "And I'll prove it. If I get a breakaway, I have this awesome dunk where I unbutton my pants in the air and then do a tomahawk. It's awesome."
Carter said that he will then put his warmup pants back on "of course, so I don't get a brush burn."
News Gloria James Pushing Lebron to Sign With "Very Doable" Knicks
According to multiple Internet rumors, Gloria James, the mother of Lebron James, is pushing her son to sign with the New York Knicks because they have several players she "would totally do."
Mrs. James, who has been linked to Cavaliers guard Delonte West, reportedly has told friends that she finds Knicks players Toney Douglas, Danilo Gallinari, Al Harrington, Wilson Chandler and David Lee very attractive.
"But that's just the initial list," said a source with knowledge of the situation. "She's fine with anyone on the roster. Even Eddy Curry, if it would get him in shape so he could help her son on the court."
With Cleveland's season ending earlier than expected, Mrs. James has reportedly been evaluating all of Lebron's possible destinations.
"She has done a lot of research ahead of this big decision," said a Cavaliers team source who requested anonymity. "And she wants the Knicks. A lot of people are saying Lebron could go to Chicago, but she just isn't attracted to many of their players. And while the Clippers are a possible destination, even she has standards."
While Lebron's camp has refused to comment on the Delonte West rumors, as well as the latest rumors, it is clear he is aware of the growing story. The superstar will reportedly demand that any time he signs with then acquire Pau Gasol and Manu Ginobili, and bring Sam Cassell and Tyrone Hill out of retirement.
"He wants to play on the ugliest possible team," said a source. "But that strategy could backfire. Look at Delonte West. Ugly sex is clearly no deterrent."
There are also Internet rumors claiming Mrs. James has carried on a long-running affair with former Seattle SuperSonics mascot Squatch, as well as a basketball rack the Cavaliers use during their morning shootarounds.
News Coast Guard Wins 2010 Military Draft Lottery
With every mathematical possibility exhausted and all the ping pong balls pulled, The United States Coast Guard wound up with the right combination, and has earned the first selection in the 2010 military draft.
The Coast Guard, sarcastically regarded in military circles as “The Clippers", have been the odds-on favorite to win the lottery every year since it was implemented. Season by season they find themselves in last place among the fived Armed Forces in the two primary statistical categories used in the military: Blowing Shit Up and Blowing People Up. They also suffered a notable defeat this year when this one Cuban guy on a raft came ashore near Miami undetected.
“We’ve haven’t always had the best luck when it comes to drafts," said Admiral Thad Allen. "But I think this is the year we turn things around. We’ve heard everything from 'Glorified Lifeguards' to 'Campus Police with Swimsuits', to of course 'The Clippers of the Military.' But that’s all going to change this year. We have our eye on a kid who we really think can be great at blowing both shit and people up.”
The Guard is expected to take Virginia high school senior Taylor Erickson with the top pick. Erickson, the son of high ranking Marines officer Robert Erickson, was hoping to follow his father to the Marines, but says he’ll go wherever he has to.
“If it’s the Coast Guard, then it’s the Coast Guard. I’m really just happy to become a part of the U.S Military and to finally get paid to blow shit up.”
Several draft experts feel Mass Maritime ROTC Candidate Robert Shay would be the safer choice for the Coast Guard, given his expressed desire to, “go somewhere close to home and to, you know, not get shot at.” But Admiral Allen has promised to take the best available candidate.
This marks the second time the Coast Guard’s had the first pick this decade. Last year, they selected Blake Griffin with the pick, but the 6’10 Griffin was picked off by enemy snipers his first day at sea and didn’t see any action for the rest of the year.
