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Sunday, December 5, 2010
Cavalier fans are still giving LeBron James jerseys to the homeless
You might remember this story from the summer, the one which comes to an unofficial end Tuesday night for us NBAniks, as the season begins.
Cleveland-area Cavaliers fans wanted nothing to do with their LeBron James(notes) apparel once the "self-proclaimed King" signed with the Miami Heat, so why not collect the unused gear and ship it down to Miami, for the less fortunate to wear?
Of course, Miami-area politicians weren't exactly receptive to this sort of half-joke/half-gift. But that hasn't stopped Clevelanders from taking their Toyota down to South Beach and handing the stuff out themselves.
In what is one of the more engaging reads of the year, Gus Garcia-Roberts and Vince Grzegorek detail the story on '64 and Counting, and Miami New Times:
One forward-thinking local citizen stepped forward to collect your unwanted jerseys -- and sneakers and T-shirts and everything else LeBron -- and ship it to Miami for distribution to the homeless. In short order, Chris Jungjohann (pronounced "Young John") founded "Break Up With LeBron," a DIY collection using a website and boxes distributed at supermarkets and Yours Truly restaurants around Cleveland. Foolish, he figured, to burn perfectly good clothing that somebody somewhere would gladly wear.
Within weeks, Jungjohann had amassed more than 400 jerseys and other items. The only remaining detail was delivery to those in need. It was simple brilliance, but it was doomed to meet the buzzsaw of south Florida bureaucracy.
The Miami Coalition for the Homeless and several other agencies rejected Jungjohann's bounty. "It's on hold right now," policy director Rita Clark told us, adding that Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado was privately against the project, though his spokesperson denied it. "There's a lot of politics around this."
"The general consensus was that it was an attempt to mock the homeless population," explained Ron Book, chairman of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust. "The reaction was a tense but pleasant ‘No thanks.'"
Well, yeah. It was meant to mock the homeless, just after the mocking of LeBron James had finished.
At the very least, if the minds behind the idea were in it for solely benevolent reasons, then they would have sent the jerseys to several cities, in amounts predicated on the amount of homeless in that particular urban setting. The fact that the bureaucracy has taken its typical hold within Miami's political scene does nothing to change that. The people stopping the shipment of LeBron James jerseys to Miami's homeless are sniveling, worrisome hand-wringers at this point, but this doesn't do anything to distract from the idea that this was a gimmick, plain and simple.
The homeless need everything they can get, and a jersey (of any origin) would help. But this is still just a basketball jersey, a polyester brand of logo and mesh without any sleeves, and hardly the most comforting style one could bestow on someone who has to live outdoors most every night. If the minds behind this idea were honest about their intentions, they'd pool all this hateful LeBron imagery and sell it online, then take the proceeds and buy a series of shirts, sweaters, hoodies and pants; to then distribute to whatever charitable organization needed it most.
But to send Cleveland Cavalier jerseys with LeBron James' name on the back to Miami is just a bad joke. It was a noble sentiment, until they were offered to Miami-only homeless.
The good thing? The people behind the initial offer are trying to get past the "bad joke" part of it all. This is a redemption story nonpareil, told by fans that were hurt to a degree unseen in the annals of popular sport. I can't even look at a picture of a Cleveland-era LeBron James jersey without shaking my head, and I'm not even a Cavs fan. How these guys do it, and work with this apparel, is beyond me. There is still a lot to argue about, regarding their approach ("wino and gold," in reference to the Cavalier team colors? Not cool), but hopefully some minds can be changed here.
This is truly a great read. Nothing heroic, and certainly nothing satisfying, but well worth your time.
Related: LeBron James, Miami HeatWelcome back to the party, Florida State. Can you stay awhile this time?
Florida State 31, Florida 7. Florida's descent into 7-5 madness has been well chronicled by the large anti-Addazian faction of the Gator fan base, and will be subjected to exhaustive postmortems in the coming weeks. Jimbo Fisher's debut in Year One of the post-Bowden era in Tallahassee, on the other hand, has been significantly quitter – one of the perks of diminished expectations and early flops in high-profile games. But as of today, Fisher's Seminoles…
• Snapped a six-game losing streak to Florida, and not only beat both instate rivals in the same season for the first time since Chris Weinke, Peter Warrick and Co. ran the table en route to the BCS title in 1999, but dominated them: The Hurricanes and Gators fell by a combined 76-24.
• Finished with nine regular season wins for the first time since taking the ACC title in 2003, the last year before the conference expanded with the addition of Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College.
• Won six ACC games for the first time since 2004, and with N.C. State's loss to Maryland, wrapped up the ACC Atlantic and a trip to the ACC Championship Game for the first time since 2005, the first year of the two-division/championship game format.
• Transmogrified from an underachieving defense that allowed 30 points per game in 2009, 94th nationally, into a unit giving up a little under 18 points per game under first-year coordinator Mark Stoops, 15th nationally before stoning the Gators this afternoon.
At the beginning of the season, the prevailing question in Tallahassee – above specific goals like a division or conference championship, or even ending the losing streak to Florida – was whether a stagnant program could regained momentum toward its birthright as ACC overlord and perennial national contender under the new administration, or whether it would come to the sobering realization that the malaise of the last five years didn't leave with the old man.
It's a little early still for a final verdict when there's still a conference championship game to play. But you know, there is a conference championship game to play, at a place that's been defined for years now by its consistent failure to compete for the ACC crown despite continuing to dominate in-conference recruiting. Since being eviscerated at Oklahoma on Sept. 11, the 'Noles' only two losses have come by a combined six points in the dying seconds against N.C. State and North Carolina. If Christian Ponder doesn't put the ball on the ground on a routine play-action fake with the winning touchdown in sight in Raleigh, FSU could be 10-2 and on the verge of the top 10.
As it is, the 'Noles are a win away from the BCS, which certainly beats another funeral dirge.
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Matt Hinton is on Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.
Celine Dion: 'I Don't Care About My Figure'
New mom Celine Dion is refusing to embark on a drastic diet to lose her pregnancy weight, insisting she's happy to wear larger-sized clothes until she regains her figure.
The singer gained 40 pounds while she was pregnant with twin boys, who she welcomed into the world on Saturday.
However, the My Heart Will Go On hit-maker has no plans to try any quick fixes to shed the weight.
She tells French magazine Gala, "I don't care about my figure. I never have and I'm not worried. In any case, I'm not going on any diet because I want to breastfeed... Besides I have a really good stylist and if it's a question of going up a dress size or two - well, so be it."
Click Here For More Celine Dion Pictures
Charlie Sheen's Rep: 'Charlie Had An Adverse Allergic Reaction'
A representative for Charlie Sheen has confirmed reports he was hospitalized on Tuesday morning, after suffering an "adverse allergic reaction" to medication.
Earlier reports suggested the 45-year-old actor was accompanied to a New York medical centre by his ex-wife Denise Richards, after cops were called to investigate an alleged disturbance in Sheen's room at the plush Plaza Hotel.
According to the New York Post, hotel security staff called police after discovering Sheen nude and his suite in shambles. Tables and chairs were reportedly thrown around the room and a chandelier damaged. Sheen told officers he had been "out partying" and returned to the Plaza with a woman, but flew into a rage when he discovered his wallet was missing, according to the newspaper.
A New York Police Department spokesman has now confirmed an ambulance carried an "emotionally disturbed person" from New York's Plaza hotel to New York Downtown Hospital at 1:30am.
Sheen's rep, Stan Rosenfield, has failed to comment on details of the alleged disturbance but confirms his client remains in hospital. He tells CNN: "What we are able to determine is that Charlie had an adverse allergic reaction to some medication and was taken to the hospital, where he is expected to be released tomorrow."
Late last year Sheen was arrested in Aspen, Colorado after fighting with his now-estranged wife Brooke Mueller.
Click Here For More Charlie Sheen Pictures
Mike Tyson: 'I Would Get Drunk After Every Fight'
Former boxer Mike Tyson was addicted to alcohol throughout his career in the ring and admits he binged on booze "after every fight."
Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history when he won the World Boxing Council (WBC) title in 1986 at the age of just 20 and went on to become the most famous boxer on the planet by the late 1980s when he became undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
But his career achievements were later overshadowed by his controversial personal life, including his allegedly abusive marriage to actress Robin Givens and his jail stint for rape in the 1990s.
Tyson recently admitted to a raging drug habit, which he only kicked after the death of his daughter last year, and although he is adamant he never took illegal substances during his time as a professional boxer, he admits he was frequently drunk, even at the height of his career.
He tells TV talk show host Larry King, "I've always been addicted. I wasn't using drugs when I was boxing, when I started. But... I never considered alcohol is a drug, too. But I would get drunk after every fight. I said I'm off drugs 14 years but really I wasn't. So that wasn't really true. I was just lying to myself. I would get drunk after every fight, just blasted."
Click Here For More Mike Tyson Pictures
'Next Iron Chef' Marc Forgione Walks The Talk
What makes an Iron Chef? Being an adaptable culinary master is a given, but there is a world of talent out there in the dining realm—something more must set these select few apart. In the case of newly crowned Iron Chef Marc Forgione, it may have simply been fate. As it turns out, he was given his spot on the show a mere three days before he had to get on a plane and head to Los Angeles.
“The second round [of interviews] you actually go in there, and it’s pretty weird actually, they put you in a dark room and they shine a light on you and you answer questions,” he explained, relaying the experience of being recruited for the show over the phone to a group of eager listeners. “I didn’t find out until three days before the flight that I was going. I was the last one on there.”
It seems difficult to dismiss destiny when you hear a story like that. Not that this is a Cinderella story by any means; in fact, it would be fair to say that Marc Forgione’s roots fall more on the mythic side of things. As the son of Larry Forgione (executive chef of An American Place in St. Louis, MO, whose vision and ability earned him the moniker “the godfather of New American Cuisine”), he made it very clear at the beginning of the competition that one of his reasons for desiring the title was to prove to the world that he was a great deal more than a chip off the old block.
But aside from having proved that in the most public way possible, what made him want the shot? When I asked him what makes the title of Iron Chef special, why he had to try for it when he had already accomplished so much, his answer came swiftly: “Even just in the word, when you hear Iron Chef, to me the words that come up right away are respect and honor, and I’m a very competitive person by nature anyway. So for me it’s one of those things, it’s you either put up or shut up with your food. There’s no gray area, you know what I mean?”
Those words that came up when thinking of the title are clearly core values for Chef Forgione. When he was asked which of the themed challenges on the show resonated with him the most, he again answered “respect” and “honor.” Those values along with an unquenchable thirst to prove himself could very well have been what tipped the scales in his favor as he went up against so many celebrated competitors. When the possibility of future battles betwixt himself and his fellow Iron Chefs were brought up, his reply was, “I’d love to go against each one of them, just to see how I fare.”
For all the grandeur and spectacle involved in the Iron Chef mythos, however, there are always the humbling and hilarious aspects of reality television to ground us. Chef Forgione revealed his own wardrobe malfunction that occurred during the buffet challenge, and what he had to do to recover: “My pants ripped open halfway through that battle, and they don’t stop the clock for anything so I just had to kind of adjust my apron to cover my derriere.”
He also talked of the moments occurring off-camera that were missed, specifically of the chef’s sojourns out to dine each night. “Imagine that ten top coming in to eat at your place. It was a lot of fun just sitting there and hearing everybody else’s feedback about what we were doing, and obviously, once a couple drinks got into everybody it always got interesting.” Raise your hand if you wish you had been a fly on the wall in those restaurants.
Now that Chef Forgione has proved he has what it takes to run laps around Kitchen Stadium, there is only one matter left: his first battle. It will take place on Sunday, Nov 28 at 10PM Eastern and Pacific Time. Tune in and see what our newest Iron Chef has in store.
Michael Bay Blasts Chicago While On Location Shooting 'Transformers 3' Emma Watson Afraid Her Massive Fortune Will Deter BoyfriendsArtur Boruc's Friday Rage List
AHHHHHHHH I AM ARTUR BORUC AND THIS IS A LIST OF THINGS THAT MADE ME ANGRY THIS WEEK:
1. LUIS SUAREZ BITING OTMAN BAKKAL -- WHO GOES AROUND BITING PEOPLE?!?!?!?! THAT IS NOT COOL AT ALL!!!!!!!!! YOU SHOULD DROPKICK THEM IN THE HEAD AND THEN PUT SCORPIONS IN THEIR SOCKS LIKE A NORMAL HUMAN BEING!!!!!!!!! PLUS EVERYONE KNOWS THAT PEOPLE TASTE AWFUL!!!!!!! I'VE BITTEN SEVEN OR EIGHT DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND THEY WERE ALL DISGUSTING!!!!!!!!!!
2. SAMUEL ETO'O'S HEADBUTT -- ZIDANE ALREADY DID THIS!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU WANT TO BE ORIGINAL YOU SHOULD TRY HEADBUTTING STREET SIGNS OR HOUSE PETS!!!!!!!! EXCEPT THAT WOULDN'T BE ORIGINAL EITHER BECAUSE I DO THAT SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK!!!!!!!! LAST NIGHT I HEADBUTTED A PARROT!!!!!!!!!
3. FORMER CLUJ MANAGER'S MELTDOWN -- WHY DID HE GET SACKED?!!!?!?? THIS MAN IS EASILY THE GREATEST MANAGER OF ALL TIME!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH I WANT HIM TO BE MY LIFE COACH SO WE CAN GO AROUND KICKING PLEXIGLASS ALL THE TIME!!!!!!!!! IT WOULD BE SO WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!
4. CORN -- I KNOW THAT IT WAS THANKSGIVING IN AMERICA ON THURSDAY!!!!!!!! THIS IS ONE OF THE DAYS WHEN CORN IS AT ITS STRONGEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU ARE AMERICAN AND YOU ATE CORN ON THANKSGIVING CONGRATULATIONS ON BECOMING INFECTED!!!!!!!!! SAMUEL ETO'O WILL AROUND TO HEADBUTT YOU IN THE CHEST SHORTLY AND THEN LUIS SUAREZ WILL BITE YOU EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH THE KERNELED MENACE AND ITS GREEN BEAN MINIONS MUST BE STOPPED!!!!!!!!!!!
5. SCHWEINSTEIGER HONKING MULLER'S CROTCH -- WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!???!!?!? IF ONE OF MY TEAMMATES EVER DID THIS TO ME I WOULD SET THEM ON FIRE AND THEN SET THEM ON FIRE AGAIN!!!!!!!!
6. CHICHARITO'S SALSA SONG -- AHHHHHHHHH THIS IS SO NOT FAIR!!!!!!! I WANT A SONG ABOUT ME!!!!!!!!!!! IT CAN BE A SPEED METAL SONG ABOUT HOW I ASSAULT BIRDS AND FIGHT THE EVIL OF CORN!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHH THAT WOULD BE SO AWESOME!!!!!!!!! I AM ALMOST CRYING FROM THE POTENTIAL AWESOMENESS AND MY OVERWHELMING HATRED OF CORN!!!!!!!!
7. REAL MADRID'S INTENTIONAL BOOKINGS -- THIS IS STUPID!!!!!!!!! IF YOU'RE GOING TO GET YOURSELF SENT OFF ON PURPOSE AT LEAST DO SOMETHING IMPRESSIVE LIKE DECAPITATING SOMEONE OR SPANKING THE REFEREE!!!!!!!!! DON'T JUST DANCE AROUND LIKE AN ESCAPEE FROM A MENTAL INSTITUTION!!!!!!!!!!! YOU DO THAT WHEN YOU'RE AT A RESTAURANT AND THEY DON'T SERVE YOU AS QUICKLY AS YOU WOULD LIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!
8. COLORADO RAPIDS CELEBRATING THEIR CHAMPIONSHIP IN COSTUMES -- I WANT TO DO THAT!!!!!!!!! IF FIORENTINA WIN THE SCUDETTO I AM GOING TO DRESS UP LIKE TAYLOR SWIFT AND/OR THE LITTLE MERMAID!!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU THINK IT'S WEIRD THAT I WANT TO DO THAT THEN YOU ARE THE ONE WHO IS WEIRD!!!!!! STOP JUDGING ME OR I WILL HEADBUTT YOUR PARROT!!!!!!!
9. MY IDIOT NEIGHBOR DAN WYKOWSKI -- WHILE DAN WAS WORKING HIS NEW IDIOT JOB ON TUESDAY HE ASKED ME TO CHECK IN ON HIS GOOBER KIDS!!!!!!! I WAS VERY BUSY TRYING TO TEACH MY MICROWAVE VOICE ACTIVATION BY SCREAMING AT IT AND THROWING SLICES OF BREAD OUT THE WINDOW SO I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE BUT I DID BECAUSE THAT'S THE KIND OF GUY I AM!!!!!!!!!!! WHEN I GOT TO DAN'S HOUSE THE BOY GOOBER KID ASKED IF WE COULD PRACTICE HIS PENALTY KICKS AGAINST ME AND THE GIRL GOOBER KID ASKED IF I WOULD DO KARAOKE WITH HER!!!!!!!!! THEY WOULDN'T SHUT UP SO I DID A FLIP AND PUNCHED THE FLOOR!!!!!!!! I SAID "THAT ALL SOUNDS LIKE FUN!!!!!!" BUT I SAID IT IN A WAY SO THEY WOULD KNOW THAT I THINK THEIR IDEAS ARE STUPID!!!!!!!!!! THEN I TOLD THEM THAT I AM THE ADULT SO WE WILL DO WHAT I WANT TO DO!!!!!!!!! WE BUILT A FORT OUT OF COUCH CUSHIONS AND BLANKETS AND PRETENDED THE CORN WAS COMING TO GET US!!!!!!! IT WAS SO MUCH FUN AND HORRIFYING AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHH I HOPE DAN'S BOSS MAKES HIM WORK INHUMANE HOURS SO WE CAN BUILD MORE FORTS IN HIS HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I AM ARTUR BORUC AND THIS HAS BEEN MY RAGE LIST. SEE YOU NEXT WEEK! GOD BLESS!!!!!!
Photo: Violachannel.tv
Related: Artur Borucs Friday Rage ListDanny Bonaduce Marries Third Wife
Former Partridge Family star Danny Bonaduce is a married man again after exchanging vows with his manager girlfriend in a surprise ceremony last week.
The actor, 51, proposed to Amy Railsback in March 2009, less than six months after finalising his divorce from his wife of 16 years, Gretchen.
Bonaduce recently treated Railsback to a vacation in Hawaii, but she was left stunned when he revealed they were actually in Maui to wed in a surprise sunset ceremony.
The couple became man and wife on November 22, reports the National Enquirer.
Railsback, who, at 28, is 23 years his junior, is Bonaduce's third wife.
'Law & Order: UK' 2.03 'Community Service' Review
Nothing ever ends well that starts with someone walking alone late at night. In the case of this week's of this week's Law & Order: UK, you find a severely beaten homeless guy face down on the lawn. Brooks and Devlin quickly identify the victim, but who attacked him is a particularly thorny question.
Matt and Ronnie discover that Roland Kirk also happens to be manic depressive and isn't exactly on the best of terms with the neighborhood. Everyone seems to conveniently have gone deaf and blind when it comes to the crime. One particularly annoyed man is unashamedly pleased to hear about it. Our boys poke into the neighborhood business and what they find isn't pretty. Each resident seems to have a motive, if not several motives. This annoys Matt, but not as much as other things have recently; his episodes-long case of permanent personality disorder seems to have come to an end, much to my relief. Not that I don't love him either way, but it just couldn't have been good for his blood pressure to be that wound up on a consistent basis.
Steel finally singles out Harry Morgan (Pirates of the Caribbean's Kevin McNally), who describes Roland as having "made my life a living nightmare." Yes, that's right, James Steel does his own investigative work, and doesn't just send his second chair out to do it for him. Ben Daniels spends a considerable part of this episode reacting to other people's monologues, and he does it beautifully; he doesn't get to say much, but you can see the wheels turning in his head. It's a prime example of what's great about Law & Order: UK - even when nothing appears to be happening, something is always going on. You just have to pay attention to the subtleties.
Further breaking the Law & Order mold, Morgan isn't arrested until the beginning of the final act, at which point he starts claiming self-defense, much to James' disbelief. Colin Salmon (Prime Suspect, Keen Eddie) makes his second appearance as defense attorney Doug Greer (following "Buried"), and takes far too much glee in needling James when his key witness recants in open court. It's another one of those moments where it'd be perfect to see Ben Daniels deck somebody, but of course, Steel is too polite to do that, and I love him for it. Daniels is not the guy who's going to go into histrionics; he's got poise and class, and that's what makes Steel a memorable character. Unfortunately for him (and for us), he loses this round, but you can't win them all. Even if the bad guy basically admits his guilt to your face after the verdict.
The fact that I'm seeing this episode at this time is cause to get a little somber; "Community Service" is based on 1993's "Volunteers," which was the second episode of Michael Moriarty's final season. It's also the first Law & Order: UK episode I've watched since having to break the news that Ben Daniels and Bill Paterson are both leaving the series. It's an inadvertent reminder of one departure at the same time I'm preparing myself to deal with another. At least I've got two and a half more series of Ben Daniels' work to take solace in. No matter what the case or circumstances, Daniels and the rest of the Law & Order: UK cast always bring their 'A' game. This episode is no exception to that standard. It only makes me wonder: when the cast changes, is that impeccable quality going to change with it? I certainly hope not. I just hope the new people can keep up.
Need to catch up with Law & Order: UK? Full show coverage is available in the Law & Order: UK category on my blog, DigitalAirwaves.net.
Sarah Jessica Parker Talks About Aging, Meeting Her Twins & Her Role At Halston Starpulse Is Movie ObsessedSuper glue can't stop blister from ending C.J. Wilson's night
C.J. Wilson(notes) tried everything he could to keep going with a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand.
He even poured super glue on it during the second inning to prevent it from popping.
Glue? That's crazy! Perhaps, but it's the World Series — and the Texas Rangers needed him out there in Game 2.
And Wilson's remedy worked, at least until the seventh inning. He and San Francisco's Matt Cain(notes) were working on quite a pitchers' duel. Until...
"My finger ripped open. Usually it's not as bad," [Wilson said after the game.] "I've been super-glueing it the past couple weeks to keep it together and it just kind of ruptured in that at-bat with Cody Ross(notes). [...]
"I couldn't throw anything beside the curveball for a strike."
Armed with only one effective pitch, Wilson told coach Mike Maddux the Rangers were better off using the bullpen. That's up for interpretation; Not long after Wilson left the game, the San Francisco Giants ripped open a big lead on their way to a 9-0 victory.
The Giants are two more victories from baseball heaven and the Rangers are reeling. Even if they launch a comeback and Wilson's turn in the rotation comes up again, what about his finger? More glue?
It's actually not uncommon for major league pitchers to take such lengths to fight blisters. Even glue. It's strong stuff. And very versatile.
The problem with Wilson's solution: Pitching with super glue on your hands is against the rules.
Back in 2003, Montreal Expos right-hander Zach Day was ejected after umpire Bill Miller discovered he had applied super glue to a blister.
From the A.P.'s account:
Under rule 8.02 (b), a pitcher is automatically ejected if he is found with any foreign substance on his fingers.
"We don't really believe the kid thought he was cheating, but that has nothing to do with it," home plate umpire Bill Miller said. "He had a foreign substance on his person and that means he is in violation of this rule."
The exact wording of the rule is somewhat ambiguous — "The pitcher is allowed to rub the ball between his bare hands" — and the propriety of Miller's actions in kicking out Day are still subject to dispute.
Wilson, who was probably unaware of how the rule applies to him, bemoaned the timing of his blister's bursting.
"It ripped open on the side and that's where the blood came out of," [Wilson said.] And once the blood was on my finger...
"If it would have happened in between innings, or something, then maybe I could have super-glued it (again). They're not going to let you super-glue your finger (in the middle of an at-bat) because maybe that's a 'performance-enhancer' or some crap like that."
Wilson was kidding, but he also stumbled onto another point: If umpires were to catch Wilson with super glue on his finger, they at least would make him remove it. Coincidentally, Bill Miller is umpiring in the World Series, and you know he's hip.
So, what's left for Ceej to do? Pickle juice? Stan's Rodeo Cream?
For now, he says he'll just glue the blister back together and be ready in case the Rangers need him in Game 6.
After that, he has an entire offseason to heal.
Follow Big League Stew (and @AnswerDave) all through the postseason on Twitter and on Facebook.Related: C.J. Wilson, Matt Cain, Cody Ross, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, 2010 Postseason, 2010 World SeriesCourt Report: First Impressions
It sure is good to be back! The Court Report will appear regularly throughout the season, so this link is one you'll want to keep handy. We've got lots to talk about in the wake of the first full day on the NBA calendar (13 games), so let's get to the game news and notes.
• Detroit (98) at New Jersey (101)
New Jersey got most of what it wanted in the 101-98 win over the Pistons. Brook Lopez(notes) (25 points, 9 boards, 3 blocks) and Devin Harris(notes) (22 points, 9 assists, 2 steals) were excellent and Anthony Morrow(notes) (13 points, 3 threes), Terrence Williams(notes) (10 points, 6 boards, 4 assists), Derrick Favors(notes) (8 points, 10 boards, 1 foul), and Jordan Farmar(notes) (10 points, 2 threes, 2 steals) all contributed. Joe Smith(notes) started at power forward but wasn't needed (5 minutes).
The standout poor line belonged to Travis Outlaw(notes) (21 minutes, 5 points, 1-7 FG, 5 fouls), and he's also coming off a lackluster preseason. Avery Johnson likes Terrence Williams off the bench for now, but that could change if Outlaw can't up his level of play. The Yahoo! community is more heavily-invested in Williams as it is (67% owned to Outlaw's 18%), so this is more notable for those that nabbed Outlaw as a late flier. Troy Murphy(notes) is probable for Sunday and Austin Daye(notes) is a favorable matchup for most NBA power forwards, so I'm not going to read much into Favors' numbers, although his lack of fouls was clearly a positive.
The Pistons had eight players with at least 20 minutes played and none played more than Richard Hamilton's(notes) 32 (13 points, 3 assists). Austin Daye didn't shoot well (2 of 8, 4 points) and will be a much better fit at small forward once Tayshaun Prince(notes) is no longer on the roster. He won't always be this bad, but like most young players he's bound to show some inconsistency and his playing out of position isn't likely to help in that regard.
The DNP-CD for Greg Monroe(notes) was a disappointment and is a trickle-down from the decision to start Daye. Charlie Villanueva(notes) (23 minutes, 14 points, 4 threes) and Jason Maxiell(notes) (21 minutes, 11 points, 6 boards) saw the backup FC minutes, while Tracy McGrady(notes) played his requisite 15 minutes off the bench. Sure it's only one game, but it's hard to see much other than jumbled minutes and lines going forward for these Pistons until at least one vet is traded (likely Prince and possibly Maxiell).
• New York (98) at Toronto (93)
Amar'e Stoudemire(notes) turned the ball over a whopping nine times but was good elsewhere (19 points, 10 boards, 2 blocks) and Raymond Felton(notes) delivered a solid performance after a shaky preseason (15 points, 6 boards, 6 assists, 1 steal). Wilson Chandler(notes) was excellent as the sixth man (29 minutes, 22 points, 8 boards, 2 blocks) and could be a very good fit for D'Antoni in the role, given his ability to defend multiple positions.
Two rookies were in the starting five for the Knicks: Timofey Mozgov(notes) was at center while Landry Fields(notes) drew the start at shooting guard. Mozgov is on a few rosters to start the season (8% owned) by virtue of his starting gig, but he had four fouls in seven minutes Wednesday, averaged 3.9 fouls in 20 minutes during the preseason, and is likely to foul his way into a reserve role behind Ronny Turiaf(notes) before long. Turiaf turned in a solid line (23 minutes, 8 points, 4 boards, 2 steals, 4 blocks) before leaving with a back injury that is not considered serious.
Fields (30 minutes, 11 points, 3 treys) is looking at a great opportunity to stick at shooting guard. He made 43 percent of his threes in the preseason, was solid in the summer league, and was impressive as a college senior. He's got good size (6-7, 215) and can play some defense, so you can bet Mike D'Antoni would like this to work out. In that scenario, Toney Douglas(notes) can back up both guard spots and Bill Walker(notes) and Roger Mason(notes) will get the scraps.
Anthony Randolph(notes) missed Wednesday's game because of a left ankle sprain and is expected to be out through the weekend. He'll have to fight his way into regular minutes after struggling through the preseason, particularly now that Chandler is also coming off the bench - the entire series of events adds up to one worst-case scenario.
Andrea Bargnani(notes), as expected, had the best numbers for the Raptors (22 points, 1 three, 6 boards, 2 blocks). Jarrett Jack(notes) was solid (16 points, 6 assists, 3 steals) and played 31 minutes to Jose Calderon's(notes) 18 (4 points, 7 assists), a split that could become familiar. Reggie Evans(notes) grabbed 16 boards and added two steals and a block in his 33 minutes and should be a pickup for all managers employing the mythical 'punt points' strategy. The fact that Amir Johnson(notes) had four fouls in his 13 minutes is precisely the reason why it's nearly impossible for fantasy owners (and the Raptors) to count on him for consistent production, and why Evans will likely stick at power forward.
Leandro Barbosa(notes) scored 13 points in 24 minutes but his wrist injury has him likely just playing on borrowed time. He injured the same wrist Friday that limited him to 44 games last season and said surgery is a necessity yet again, although he's going to try to play through pain for now. Sonny Weems(notes) and Calderon would benefit if he does struggle and has to shut it down.
• Miami (97) at Philadelphia (87)
The Heat looked less open for ridicule in their second game, and Dwyane Wade(notes) in particular had a much better game (30 points, 7 boards, 4 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks). LeBron James(notes) had some numbers (16 points, 6 boards, 7 assists, 2 steals, 1 block) but is now averaging 8.5 turnovers after two games. Chris Bosh(notes) made half of his 12 shots and was serviceable (15 points, 7 boards, 1 steal, 1 block).
James Jones(notes) was the "other" player of note for the Heat, exactly what they need him to be with Mike Miller(notes) sidelined. Jones made six of his nine threes and finished with 20 points, while also adding a steal and a block. He's a career 39-percent shooter from long-range, and the only thing he'll need to do to keep getting those shots is to keep making a reasonable amount of them. Think about an add if you need threes and not many other supporting stats.
A few of the Sixers' starters looked lifeless in this one, evidenced by Jrue Holiday(notes), Spencer Hawes(notes), and Jason Kapono(notes) combining for eight points on three-of-16 shooting in 48 minutes. Andre Iguodala(notes) posted fine overall numbers (10 points, 7 boards, 5 assists, 2 steals) and Elton Brand(notes) was excellent (12 points, 9 boards, 3 steals, 2 blocks), but the Sixers' reserves were who made this game even remotely close.
Louis Williams(notes) scored 15 and had seven assists in 34 minutes, Evan Turner(notes) came off the bench for 16 points, seven boards, and four assists in 31 minutes, and Thaddeus Young(notes) added 15 and two steals in 26 minutes. Doug Collins is hoping that Kapono's three-point ability (career 44%) can help the first unit with spacing, but he's a huge defensive liability and is very questionable as a starter in general. Don't be surprised if Young is in the lineup in his place before long. Nocioni is a dark-horse because of his shooting range (career 38% 3PM), but Turner seems more likely to remain a reserve.
• Boston (87) at Cleveland (95)
Cleveland was up for this one and Boston was a bit sluggish after the much ballyhooed matchup with the Heat on Tuesday. The Cavs got contributions from a number of players: J.J. Hickson(notes) (21 points, 6 boards), Daniel Gibson(notes) (16 points, 8 assists), Ramon Sessions(notes) (14 points, 2 steals), Anthony Parker(notes) (10 points, 2 threes, 6 assists), Anderson Varejao(notes) (8 points, 10 boards, 4 assists), and Jamario Moon(notes) (10 points, 2 threes, 1 steal, 1 block).
Sessions got the start for Mo Williams(notes), with whom the Cavs were being overly cautious after he was limited in the preseason by a groin injury and away from the team for the past few days. Gibson may struggle to find enough minutes to make an impact when both Williams and Sessions are available, so don't get too excited after one game. Antawn Jamison(notes) was a non-factor in his first game as a reserve (21 minutes, 4 points, 2-6 FG) and we're going to have to wait and see how his role is defined moving forward.
Rajon Rondo(notes) posted another fine line for the Celtics (18 points, 9 assists, 3 steals), but the Big Three combined for 34 points on 12-of-30 shooting in the loss. Glen Davis(notes) had 14 points in 33 minutes and is looking sharp offensively thus far.
• Chicago (95) at Oklahoma City (106)
The Thunder got what they needed from Kevin Durant(notes) (30 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals), Russell Westbrook(notes) (28 points, 10 boards, 6 assists, 2 steals), and Jeff Green(notes) (21 points, 2 threes, 1 steal, 1 block) to put away the Bulls. Serge Ibaka(notes) also posted something of an ideal line for all involved parties (32 minutes, 8 points, 9 boards, 4 blocks) - Nenad Krstic(notes) may be - and stay - the starter at center, but Ibaka is going to make an impact this season.
Thabo Sefolosha(notes) started at shooting guard and did what he often does, scoring just one point in 25 minutes but filling it up elsewhere (4 boards, 4 assists, 0 turnovers, 2 steals, 4 blocks). James Harden(notes) scored six points and had two steals in 20 minutes, but didn't see extensive time because Daequan Cook(notes) (18 minutes) and Eric Maynor(notes) (13) also got some run.
Derrick Rose(notes) attempted a whopping 31 shots and made 12 (0-for-4 3PT), finishing with 28 points and six assists in 31 minutes. Joakim Noah(notes) (18 points, 19 boards, 2 steals, 2 blocks) and Taj Gibson(notes) (16 points, 11 boards) both posted double-doubles, with Noah logging 39 minutes. While there are no complaints about that level of production, you wonder about the possibility of too many minutes after last season's battle with plantar fasciitis.
• Sacramento (117) at Minnesota (116)
There are going to be a number of good fantasy lines any time teams combine to score 133 points. Nothing to complain about from the Kings, including a stellar effort from Francisco Garcia(notes) (22 points, 2 threes, 3 steals, 1 block) as he filled in for Tyreke Evans(notes) (suspension). DeMarcus Cousins(notes) had a solid NBA debut (14 points, 8 boards, 5 assists), although he did struggle with fouls (27 minutes, 5 fouls). Cousins and Jason Thompson's(notes) fantasy owners should note that Samuel Dalembert(notes) could return to the active roster by the end of the week, so minutes will be adjusted that point.
The T-Wolves had six players in double figures, including Kevin Love(notes) (11 points, 2 threes, 10 boards), but the kicker is that he totaled only 24 minutes because Anthony Tolliver(notes) was delivering the energy and defense that Kurt Rambis preferred. Tolliver did post a nice line (28 minutes, 14 points, 2 threes, 7 boards, 4 blocks) and was a plus-6, but Love left the locker room quickly after the game and this sets up internal friction one game into an 82-game season.
• Atlanta (119) at Memphis (104)
The Hawks' new offense got off to a spiffy start, thanks in part to Marc Gasol's(notes) absence because of an ankle sprain. The Hawks shot 53 percent for the field, 50 percent from three, and 87 percent from the line. The team had six players in double figures, with a notable absence being Al Horford(notes), who scored just two points on one-of-five shooting and was kept on the bench (18 minutes, 3 fouls) while Zaza Pachulia(notes) was doing his thing (30 minutes, 17 points, 11 boards, 2 blocks).
Also of note for the Hawks were strong offensive performances by Mike Bibby(notes) (19 points, 4 threes) and Marvin Williams(notes) (15 points). Jeff Teague(notes) played 16 minutes and scored five points, but Bibby will have to regress for at least a few games before talk of a switch begins to resurface.
Gasol could be out through the weekend for the Grizzlies, but his status won't be determined until Friday. Zach Randolph(notes) left Wednesday's game with a bruised tailbone and will be evaluated on Thursday. Mike Conley(notes) (23 points, 8 assists), Rudy Gay(notes) (21 points, 10 boards), Darrell Arthur(notes) (19 points), and Sam Young(notes) (17 points) were the main contributors for the Grizzlies in the loss.
• Milwaukee (91) at New Orleans (95)
It was a mixed fantasy bag for the Hornets in the win. Chris Paul(notes) was excellent (17 points, 16 assists), as was David West(notes) (22 points, 7 boards), and Marco Belinelli(notes) was decent (18 points, 6-15 FG), as was Trevor Ariza(notes) (11 points, 4-13 FG, 4 steals). Emeka Okafor(notes) somehow managed to not attempt a shot or free throw in 26 minutes, and Marcus Thornton(notes) played just 11 minutes off the bench, although he did score eight points in those limited minutes.
Notables for the Bucks included Carlos Delfino(notes), who made five threes and had 19 points in 39 minutes, and Andrew Bogut(notes), who posted 15 points, 15 boards, and one block in his 36 minutes. After the game, Bogut said that both his hand and his endurance were OK. John Salmons(notes) couldn't find his groove (32 minutes, 5 points, 2-8 FG), while Corey Maggette(notes) came off the bench for 16 points (8-of-8 FT) in 20 minutes.
• Indiana (109) at San Antonio (122)
Both teams shot well in this game (IND 53%, SAS 51%) but the final score came down to assists-to-turnovers (SAS 29:14, IND 20:23). The Spurs' veteran trio all turned in excellent lines and they also received good support from Richard Jefferson(notes) (16 points), George Hill(notes) (16 points, 2 steals), and James Anderson(notes) (10 points, 2 threes). DeJuan Blair(notes) was underwhelming as the starting center (20 minutes, 9 points, 3 boards) but is going to have a long leash with Tiago Splitter(notes) still limited by his calf strain.
The Pacers also got good numbers from what is now their own Big Three. Roy Hibbert(notes) scored a career-high 28 points and added nine boards and three blocks, Danny Granger(notes) went for 26 points, hit three treys, and had two steals, and Darren Collison(notes) had 19 points and seven assists. Josh McRoberts(notes) was limited by foul trouble (24 minutes, 4 fouls) but still turned in a respectable line (11 points, 1 three, 6 boards, 1 steal, 2 blocks). McRoberts definitely deserves a bit more of a look from fantasy owners (10% owned) given his range of skills and the job security afforded him by Tyler Hansbrough's(notes) continuing struggles to return to game condition.
• Charlotte (86) at Dallas (101)
This final score certainly could have been a lot different, considering the Mavs started the game with a 16-0 run and started the third quarter with a 21-10 run. Only one Mavs starter finished the game with less than a plus-25. The team got great initial games from Dirk Nowitzki(notes) (28 points, 11-13 FG, 13 boards), Jason Kidd(notes) (12 points, 2 threes, 18 assists, 1 turnover, 3 steals), and Jason Terry(notes) (22 points, 2 threes, 6 assists, 4 steals), although Caron Butler's(notes) line could use some work (13 points, 5-16 FG, 2 boards).
Tyson Chandler(notes) (23 minutes, 8 points, 8 boards, 2 blocks) was something of a surprise starter for the Mavs over Brendan Haywood(notes) (20 minutes, 2 points, 3 boards, 1 block), with Rick Carlisle saying that he likes the way Chandler fits with the first team but that "you could flip a coin" in terms of their expected impact for the team. This arrangement likely means that Haywood was a bit overdrafted (113.9 ADP) and Chandler deserves a bit more love (27% owned), but Chandler of course will need to stay healthy for that to actually be the case and we've seen Haywood produce in a strict platoon before.
Tyrus Thomas(notes) played plenty and was very solid off the bench (30 minutes, 22 points, 6 boards, 1 steal). D.J. Augustin(notes) didn't do a lot with his 41 minutes (8 points, 2-10 FG, 5 assists, 1 steal) but he's going to get run, as the team has nobody else to turn to for major minutes. Friday's matchup with Indiana will be a good opportunity for Augustin to post better offensive numbers.
• Utah (88) at Denver (110)
Utah couldn't match Denver's energy in this blowout. The Nuggets were led by Carmelo Anthony(notes) (23 points) and the emerging Arron Afflalo(notes) (22 points, 3 treys, 2 steals), while Shelden Williams(notes) grabbed 16 boards (7 offensive) in his 28 minutes. Nene Hilario(notes) picked up a few fouls early and then wasn't needed much during the easy win (23 minutes, 13 points, 4 boards). Afflalo's refinement of his offensive game should allow Chauncey Billups(notes) to concentrate more on distributing and could also serve to limit J.R. Smith's(notes) role. The current disparity in Smith (80%) and Afflalo's percent-owned numbers (25%) doesn't reflect their probable fantasy impacts.
The Jazz's portion of the box score doesn't figure to be typical going forward. Gordon Hayward(notes) led the team in shot attempts (21 minutes, 9 points, 4-11 FG), Al Jefferson(notes) scored only six points on six shots in a team-high 31 minutes, and Andrei Kirilenko(notes) played only 19 minutes (2 points, 4 turnovers, 4 fouls) as Jerry Sloan went 12 deep in his rotation and only gave four players more 21 minutes. The Jazz get the opportunity to clean up their season averages Thursday, when they host the Suns for their home opener.
• Portland (98) at LA Clippers (88)
All eyes were on Blake Griffin(notes) and he did not disappoint, despite his team's loss. In his first 'real' NBA game, Griffin scored 20 points, grabbed 14 boards (9 offensive), and added four assists and a steal in 39 minutes. Eric Gordon(notes) also started strong (22 points, 2 steals, 2 blocks), but the same can't be said for the rest of the Clippers' starters (Baron Davis(notes), Chris Kaman(notes), Ryan Gomes(notes)), who combined for 18 points on eight-of-35 shooting in 97 minutes. Rasual Butler(notes) made four of his six threes in 30 minutes and could push Gomes for the starting small forward gig in short order.
None of Portland's starters had any problems in this one. All five scored in double figures and played at least 32 minutes. Three had at least 10 boards and they also totaled eight steals and six blocks. After two games, Nicolas Batum(notes) is averaging 17 points on 58-percent shooting, 3 treys, 8.5 boards, 1.5 steals, and 1 block in 30 minutes.
• Houston (128) at Golden State (132)
The major fireworks for the evening were saved for the late game. Golden State looked very… Golden Statey en route to 132 points, with Monta Ellis(notes) making 18 of his 24 shot attempts (46 points, 2 steals), Stephen Curry(notes) picking up where he left off (25 points, 3 threes, 11 assists), David Lee(notes) getting it done (17 points, 15 boards, 6 assists, 1 block), Andris Biedrins(notes) turning in a vintage line (8 points, 11 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 blocks), and Dorell Wright(notes) looking like a legit starter (15 points, 3 threes, 2 steals, 1 block). For the game, the Warriors shot 55 percent from the field, 40 percent from three, and 85 percent from the line.
Houston kept pace with the Warriors for the most part, with Luis Scola(notes) (36 points, 16 boards) and Kevin Martin(notes) (28 points, 17-17 FT) doing the major damage. Chuck Hayes(notes) got the start at center and posted a tremendous line (16 points, 8 boards, 6 assists, 1 steal). Yao sat because it was the second of a back-to-back - Hayes' 39 minutes were a bit of a surprise compared to Brad Miller's(notes) grand total of three minutes, but Rick Adelman felt from the outset that Hayes would be more apt to handle the expected pace of the game.
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Photos via Getty Images
Random musings of footballers before they fall asleep...
Paul
Well, I'm dead now. ... You know who saw that coming? Me. ... You know who didn't? Stupid humans. ...Seriously, humans are so stupid that they actually thought a parakeet could predict World Cup matches. Can you believe that? So, so dumb. ... Do you know how many humans it takes to screw in a light bulb? A lot. Because they're idiots. ... Hahaha I should have been a comedian instead of a genius oracle that is always right about everything always. ... Anyway, I'm going to octopus heaven now, which is at least 70 times better than human heaven because we are so far superior to anything with two measly arms. ... We have foosball and all the Sprite you can drink up there. ... So, yeah, sucks to be you. Smell ya later, dopes...
Chris Hughton
OK, why, uh, why is Arsene so close to me right now? ... I just wanted to shake his hand, but now he won't let go and I can smell what he had for lunch. ... Smells like ham and juice. ... This is just getting awkward now. ... It's like he wants to rub noses or something and that is definitely not happening. ... Maybe he's confusing me for Theo Walcott. ... He just keeps grinning and it's really creeping me out. I need to end this now. ... Maybe...maybe if I just rub noses with him a little bit, he will stop. ... OK, I'm just gonna do it. ... I'm just gonna rub noses with him for a second and then run away. ... OK. Let the nose rubbing commence...
Cristiano Ronaldo
Jerks won't let me sit on the stupid bench with them. ... They're all so jealous. ... Just because I'm better than all of them doesn't mean they have to be so heartless. ... Cristiano has feelings, too. ... Feelings of being wonderful and perfect and better than pretty much everyone else. ... And right now those feelings are hurt. ... If I wasn't so confident in my awesomeness, I would probably cry right now. ... But I am, so I won't hahaha. ... I hope I don't have another nightmare where Mourinho is Michael Myers from the Halloween movies and he's coming after me while I'm trying to get a tan. ... I also hope those are just nightmares...
Didier Drogba
Time for the disgraces. ... First, Kalou isn't committed to this hug at all. That's a total f***ing disgrace. ... Then, I played the whole match against Wolves and didn't get a goal, but Kalou scores, like, 10 minutes after getting subbed on. That's an absolute f***ing disgrace. ... Then, I realized that he was wearing my gloves because he said he couldn't find his even though I know for a fact he had them in his bag the whole time. That's a weird f***ing disgrace. ... Then, he offered to drive me home from the match and once we got in the car it became clear that he only wanted to do it so he could brag about his goal the whole way. That's a gloating f***ing disgrace. ... Then, I finally got home and found Kitier Katba had a dead mouse. That's a gross f***ing disgrace. And one that I'm going to put in Kalou's glove. ... Then, there were those times that those two bald refs who probably give out pennies on Halloween cheated us out of the Champions League. That...that was a...
Photos: Reuters, AP
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Keith Urban lost everything he owned as a child after his family home burned down. The country singer was born to working class parents and grew up with his brother in Queensland, Australia.
However, Urban and his family suffered a devastating loss in the late 1970s when a blaze engulfed their house - and destroyed all of their possessions.
He tells CNN.com, "My brother and I grew up in a very basic environment. We didn't have lots of stuff... so even when I first moved to Nashville 18 years ago, I didn't have anything. I had one guitar, and I had some clothing, but I didn't have a lot of stuff.
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"Fortunately, my mom, and my dad, and my brother and I were OK."
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Mike Tyson: 'Mel Gibson Needs Therapy'
Former boxing champion Mike Tyson is urging Mel Gibson to seek professional help as he battles personal problems, insisting the actor needs "someone to talk to."
Gibson has been embroiled in a public spat with his ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva this year over allegations he knocked out her teeth in a domestic dispute. Tapes of their bitter arguments, which later emerged online, intensified the fall out.
Tyson admits he can empathize with the actor/director because of his own checkered past, which saw him sensationally accused of beating his ex-wife Robin Givens, while he later sank into drug abuse. And the sportsman is adamant Gibson needs therapy to help him through the dark times.
He tells New York Post gossip column Page Six, "We all have that guy - a Mel Gibson - in us. We just don't want people to be exposed to it. Maybe he needs to go get help. We all need help, and need someone to talk to. I'm not against him, but I'm not for him."
Tyson, who appeared in hit 2009 comedy The Hangover, is reportedly set to join the cast of the upcoming sequel which will now no longer feature a cameo appearance from Gibson after members of the cast and crew objected to his presence on set.
However, the boxer admits he wouldn't have complained about working with the Lethal Weapon star. He adds, "I'm not going to ever in my life point my finger at anyone. I don't live in a glass house. None of us do. I work with anybody, as long as they're respectful."
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