BV on Sports

Tiger Woods Reunites with his Wife and Children after Rehab

Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD — 2010-02-08T18:40:00+00:00

Well, we don't know if the drama is over or if it's just beginning. Either way, Tiger Woods' time in sex rehab has come to a close, and he has reunited with his wife and children.

Woods has allegedly left the Mississippi sex rehab clinic that is designed to help him to keep his urges under control. His wife, Elin Nordgren, believed by some to be the primary victim in all of Tiger's exploits, accompanied Woods to his home after meeting with him in Hattiesburg.

Media reports are that the couple plans to spend some time together with their children as they attempt to repair their marriage. The drama all unfolded back in late November, when Woods went to the hospital after a car crash. Woods' wife Elin was reported to be a "hero" after she busted out the window of his SUV to pull him out of the truck. That led to an unleashing of all of Woods' dirty laundry, as one mistress after another was unveiled to us like a living, breathing Sports Illustrate swimsuit calendar.

The drama has been costly to Woods, who lost tens of millions of dollars in endorsements, as the world became disappointed that Tiger cheated on his spouse. What is most interesting to me is that we behaved as if he is the only celebrity in history to ever do such a thing. What is also interesting to me is that somehow, Elin Nordegren, Tiger's wife, has not been seriously investigated for domestic violence. I hardly think the world would have been sympathetic had it been Tiger Woods chasing his wife through the yard with a golf club "trying to save her from a car accident."

Tiger Woods will emerge again as the superstar he once was. In many ways, this experience will be liberating for Woods, who will no longer have to go through life pretending that he is perfect. Congratulations Tiger; I look forward to getting to know the real you.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.

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Michael Irvin Accused of Sexual Assault

Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD — 2010-02-07T23:52:00+00:00

Filed under: Football

It just seems that the words NFL player, woman and hotel are almost never good to hear. The latest allegation doesn't involve a current NFL player, but a great former player. Michael Irvin, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys, was arrested for a rape that allegedly occurred two years ago. A woman claims that Irvin and another man raped her at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., on July 4, 2007.

The woman's original report was filed on July 20, 2007. For reasons unknown, the woman signed a waiver of petition shortly after the incident occurred. Larry Friedman, Michael Irvin's attorney, claims that the recent allegation is a plot to embarrass Irvin and extort money from him. The woman alleges that Irvin and another man got her drunk, took her to a hotel room and then demanded sex. She then told authorities that she was raped when she refused to have sex.

"Nothing happened. There was no encounter between this Jane Doe and Michael Irvin," Friedman said. "The entire story is false, it's bogus, it's made up."

The big question here is "why now?" If this allegedly happened in 2007, it would seem that 2007 would have been the time to pursue these allegations. At the same time, 60 percent of all rapes go unreported, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. So no one seems to know what happened, and the evidence will tell a better story.

It's hard to tell what happened here. All we know is that like his fellow Miami Hurricane Warren Sapp, Michael Irvin has a whole lot of explaining to do. Given that Irvin also does a great deal of analysis for NFL games, it would seem that this was a bad day for his network as well. These stories never seem to stop coming.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.

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Warren Sapp Arrested and Removed from Super Bowl Coverage

Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD — 2010-02-07T15:58:00+00:00

Filed under: Football

Former NFL star Warren Sapp has been arrested. The arrest was for a domestic battery charge in South Florida, which has led to the NFL Network removing Sapp from Sunday's Super Bowl coverage.

The former player was charged with one count of misdemeanor domestic battery. He is planning to appear before a Miami-Dade County Judge this weekend, according to Juan Sanchez, a spokesperson for the Miami Beach Police Department.

Dennis Johnson of the NFL Network released the following statement with regard to the Warren Sapp arrest: "We have been made aware of the arrest of Warren Sapp by the Miami Beach Police Department. In light of these circumstances, Warren Sapp will not appear on NFL Network while we review the matter."

According to reports on the Warren Sapp arrest, the allegations were reported to police on Saturday afternoon. According to a female acquaintance of Sapp's, she was involved in an incident with the former player around 6 am EST Saturday at the Shore Club Hotel, where Sapp was a guest.

According to the arrest affidavit, the alleged victim had a swollen knee and bruises on her neck. She claimed that she was spending time with Sapp and her friends and asked for his room key when she became tired. Apparently, Sapp woke her up in the middle of the night and they started to argue. That is when she claims that Sapp allegedly choked her and threw her onto the couch.

When it comes to the Warren Sapp arrest, here's the bottom line: When you are a celebrity and/or an athlete, it seems that involvement with women is a quick path to your downfall. Either you are accused of doing something to a woman, or a woman has done something to you; either way, almost nothing good happens to a celebrity who spends most of his free time partying with strangers in the middle of the night. This is not to judge Warren Sapp's character one way or the other (I don't know Warren personally), but one is hopeful that his promising career as an NFL analyst is not going to be derailed by a crazy night of alcohol and "clubbin."

One can hardly imagine that Warren Sapp expected to spend the Super Bowl anywhere near a jail cell. But after seeing the incidents involving Warren Sapp, Tiger Woods and other athletes, we can't help but notice how quickly the shining star can fall to the ground. Being famous comes with some serious hazards, requiring that celebs be especially intelligent and cautious of their choices. Again, this is not to imply that Warren Sapp is guilty or innocent. But this situation is, at the very least, a serious inconvenience and might ruin all that he has worked to obtain. That is what makes it all very sad.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.

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Athletes Stand Up For Cause This Super Bowl Weekend

Mason Jamal — 2010-02-06T10:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Football

One of the upcoming Super Bowl Sunday commercials will feature Florida Gator standout Tim Tebow expressing his pro-life views. The spot is funded by the far right Christian conservative group called "Focus on the Family." In a preemptive response, Planned Parenthood has released their own commercial featuring former Viking Sean James and Olympian Al Joyner. In the ad, the athletes say they "respect Ms. Tebow's decision" not to have an abortion when she was pregnant with her son Tim, but they are also "working toward the day where...every woman's decision about her health and her family will be respected." As a man, sports fan and someone who is also pro-choice, it's refreshing to see male athletes step up and deliver this message. It's also cool to see it delivered in such a classy and tasteful mannerI am wondering, however, if there are any pro-choice present day athletes that are more prominent and popular who could have delivered this message or are they all too chicken-sh*t to "take a stand" on something other than choosing Sprite over 7-Up or Nike over Reebok. It reminds me of when Michael Jordan famously refused to endorse the opponent of racist Senator Jessie Helms in his home state of North Carolina because, as he put it, "Republicans wear sneakers too." Utterly shameless. Jim Brown should have kick-dropped him, and Muhammad Ali should have bit his lip, shook his fist at him and spit out some clever rhyme in response to Jordans's cowardice.

For that matter, even though I disagree with Tim Tebow's pro-life position, I respect him for standing up and supporting something he believes in. Most present-day athletes, with endorsement deals hanging in the balance, don't have the heart. That's why Planned Parenthood had to go and unearth these two almost forgotten former greats. Okay, for real, I have no clue who the hell Sean James is, other than I read he used to play for the Minnesota Vikings. But I'm glad to see him, whatever position he played, along with Al Joyner doing this spot. Well done.

Mason Jamal writes about issues pertaining to the style, substance and sensibilities of men (and sometimes women). For more of his musings, you can visit www.MasonSays.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @masonsays and him on Facebook.

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Former NFL Star Herschel Walker Wins Mixed Martial Arts Debut

Quibian Salazar-Moreno — 2010-02-04T11:03:00+00:00

Filed under: Other Sports

Last year, former NFL great Herschel Walker announced that at age 47 he was joining the ranks of the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) world. Walker signed a contract with MMA league Strikeforce and made his debut on Showtime over the weekend.

He defeated Hungary's Greg Nagy by technical knockout in the third round. After Walker forced Nagy in to the cage, Walker took him to the ground and threw relentless punches until referee Troy Waugh stopped the fight.

"The experience was exciting," Walker said after the fight. "This is the hardest thing I've ever done."

When Walker announced his new venture in MMA, he maintained that he was doing it to be able to participate in a competitive sport - it wasn't about the money. He stood firm in his statement and donated all of his winnings to charity.

"I feel good, but I didn't do many things right, and I still have a lot to learn,'' Walker said in a statement. "The experience itself was exciting and I thank my opponent for fighting me. It's tough to fight an old man. This is the hardest thing I've ever done.

"I thought I'd be more nervous. I'm an MMA fighter now. I earned a little bit of a stripe tonight. This is one of my biggest athletic achievements ever."

Check out the fight:

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Jamaican Bobsled Team Fail to Make Winter Olympics... Again

Quibian Salazar-Moreno — 2010-02-04T11:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Other Sports

It's been 22 years since the Jamaicans sent a bobsled team to the Winter Olympics. Yes, that inspired the movie 'Cool Runnings,' but in real life, the Jamaican bobsled team hasn't been in the Winter Olympics since 1994 and won't be competing in Vancouver this year either. A fan favorite every time they participate, the team failed to qualify once again.

"We've been in battles for many, many years," Chris Stokes, a founding member of the Jamaican bobsled team more than 20 years ago, told the Associated Press. "This is one more. But it's disappointing, no question about that. The guys worked really hard and did well. Not qualifying, it's by no means a failure. It's a step going forward."

The bobsled team also failed to qualify in 2006, but in 2000, the team won the gold medal at the World Push Bobsled Championships. And although there is a very small chance they could participate this year if another team drops out, the team isn't pinning their hopes on it. They're moving forward, hoping to get new coaching, new equipment, new training and another chance in 2014. Regardless, the team is heading to Vancouver as spectators.

"It's very important for them to go and see," Stokes said about the young and new bobsled team. "They'll remember what the games are like and watch the start line of a four-man Olympic race and feel that adrenaline. I hope it acts as a motivation for them. There are many things we can, and we will, do to improve our chances."

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Gilbert Arenas: 'I am Trying Hard to Right My Wrongs'

Quibian Salazar-Moreno — 2010-02-02T10:13:00+00:00

Filed under: Basketball

Last month, Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas was suspended for the rest of the season without pay due to locker room antics involving some of his guns. Arenas pleaded guilty to a felony weapons possession charge, while his teammate, Javaris Crittendon, was also suspended for the rest of the season for taking part in the incident.

In an effort to redeem himself and repair his image, Arenas wrote a column for the Washington Post, detailing his remorse and his rededication to being a positive role model for children:

"I understand the importance of teaching nonviolence to kids in today's world. Guns and violence are serious problems, not joking matters -- a lesson that's been brought home to me over the past few weeks. I thought about this when I pleaded guilty as charged in court and when I accepted my NBA suspension without challenge.

That message of nonviolence will be front and center as I try to rebuild my relationship with young people in the D.C. area. I know that won't happen overnight, and that it will happen only if I show through my actions that I am truly sorry and have learned from my mistakes. If I do that, then hopefully youngsters will learn from the serious mistakes I made with guns and not make any of their own.

I am trying hard to right my wrongs. The one that will be hardest to make right is the effect my actions have had on kids who see NBA players as role models."

Along with losing out on his NBA salary, Adidas also dropped Arenas, which could cost him millions. Regardless, during his suspension, Arenas said, his focus will be on the kids:

"The relationship I have with young fans is very important to me. I realize now how easily I can damage it. I have to earn that respect and work to deserve it each and every day. I plan to do that work by partnering with public officials and community groups to teach kids to avoid trouble and learn from their mistakes, to strive for success by working hard and persevering, and to try to make the right choices."

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Serena Williams Keeps No. 1 Ranking

Paul Shepard — 2010-02-01T15:24:00+00:00

Filed under: Golf & Tennis

As anyone who has watched her booming forehands and relentless court coverage can attest, Serena Williams is a powerhouse of a woman. But in winning her second consecutive Australian Open, Williams proved her mind is even stronger than her body.

Remember how Williams, the No. 1 ranked player in the world, ended last season?

It was with her being cast as the villain of women sports, after melting down at the U.S. Open and threatening a line judge with bodily harm (specifically shoving a tennis ball down the lines woman's blanking throat).

Some sports talkers were forecasting a rapid decline for the 28-year-old star. Aside from fighting nagging knee injuries, the sports gabbers said Williams was unsuccessfully fighting the call of the jet-setting, limousine-riding lifestyle outside of tennis.

They added that her outside activities, such as taking a small ownership stake with her sister Venus in the Miami Dolphins football team would only further distract her.

They were wrong.

In beating Justine Henin for her 12th major title, Williams showed the ability to brush aside distractions like an opponent's weak volley. It would have been easy to beg off the 2010 season's opening event for Williams. But she didn't.

Critics enjoy saying Williams doesn't seem focused, because she has the audacity to enjoy her fame and celebrity. No one criticizes top players like Henin or Kim Clijsters, though, when they walked away from the sport for significant periods.

Some might criticize Williams for coming off a bit haughty and taken with herself in some interviews. Fine. But when it comes down to the game played between the white chalk lines, Williams has no equal.

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Serena Williams Wins The Austrailian Open in Grand Slam Fashion

Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD — 2010-02-01T09:37:00+00:00

Filed under: Golf & Tennis

Serena Williams has done it again. Accompanied by her mentor, Billie Jean King, Serena made history by winning her fifth Australian Open title. Williams defeated defending champion Justine Henin in three sets at Melbourne Park, winning her 12th major overall. Williams' total number of major wins ties her with Billie Jean King for sixth place on the career list.

"I feel really special that I was able to tie Billie Jean King," said Williams. "Because in my heart of hearts, I've been going for it and I haven't been able to quite achieve it. Billie Jean is a really big mentor of mine."

Billie Jean King feels that Williams is arguably the greatest tennis player whoever lived. "I still think that when she plays her best, she's the best ever," said King.

After her outburst on the court a few months ago, Williams took a great deal of heat from the media. In fact, she was at risk of being banned from the Australian Open. In defiance of public opinion, Williams pushed the envelope by posing nude in ESPN The Magazine. She has made it clear that she will not be swayed by what other people think.

Serena is pushing the envelope in ways that will change female sport for the next 100 years. Beyond simply being another tennis player, Williams is active off the court and on, doing things that the rest of us only dare to dream about. In many ways, you can say that she has made her life worth living, and is even worth studying in classes on Feminist Theory and Sports Sociology.

Watching Serena Williams bounce back from one setback after another is a reminder to young women everywhere that obstacles only last as long as you allow them to. Rising out of the streets of Compton and joining her sister as the greatest tennis duo in history, the Williams family has made a dramatic mark on the rest of the world. Some might call their father Richard crazy for pushing his kids so hard, but you can never say that the man wasn't brilliant.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.

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Serena Williams Advances to Finals at Australian Open

Quibian Salazar-Moreno — 2010-01-29T10:58:00+00:00

Filed under: Golf & Tennis, Women's Sports

Venus Williams was defeated by China's Li Na at the Australian Open earlier this week, but her sister avenged the loss. Serena Williams defeated Na in a semi-final match, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (1), progressing to the finals match on Saturday against Justine Henin, who came out of retirement to participate in the tournament.

"Every time I had match points, she came up with some big serves and great shots," Williams told the Associated Press about her match against Na. "She just goes for broke."

Serena, who is ranked No. 1 in the world, is of course favored to win the match. She's never lost an Australian Open finals match, since beating her sister Venus back in 2003. This will be Serena's fifth Australian Open final.

"I think we bring out the best game in each other," Serena said about her finals opponent Henin. "I think that we both just play our hearts out -- I think that's what creates a good rivalry."

But before that final match, Serena and Venus joined forces today in the doubles finals match against Cara Black and Liezel Huber, who are seeded No. 1 on the doubles tournament bracket, and won.

Once this tournament is over, the sisters will take a small break from the game to head out to the Super Bowl. Fans were hoping that they would play at the Fed Cup in France, Feb. 6 to 7, but since Venus and Serena are part owners of the Miami Dolphins, they rather network with other team owners.

"I really want to," Serena said of playing the Fed Cup, "but ... since I do own a football team, we have some owners' stuff that we have to do for the Super Bowl. Venus and I have to be there."

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NFL Star Eric Green Accused of Sodomy by Transvestite

Ruth Manuel-Logan — 2010-01-28T14:58:00+00:00

Filed under: Football

San Francisco 49er Eric Green was slapped with a $10 million lawsuit filed in a Florida federal court by a transvestite.

According to court documents, Green, 27, met Angelina Mavilia, 38, at a Scottsdale, Ariz., casino last year when he was playing for the Cardinals. The pair struck up a conversation and left the gambling spot thereafter. Green allegedly invited Mavilia back to his condo.

Court documents state that once they arrived at his home, Green got "extremely agitated and threatening." Mavilia then alleges that the cornerback sodomized her and warned, "This never happened. You'd better not tell."

In a separate action, Mavilia is also suing the city of New York. Back in October 2008, she claims she was dehumanized by members of the New York City Police Department after being arrested for trespassing in a Manhattan housing complex. She accuses a female cop of making her feel like the brunt of a very poor and disparaging joke. Mavilia said she was ordered to remove her undergarments by the police woman. Upon removing her undies, the cop stared at her genitals and mockingly proclaimed, "It's a girl!"

Mavilia said she was once again asked to strip down by a corrections officer before being placed in a cell alongside a man. She alleges that the officer made her feel less than human by belittling her and reminding her of the fact that she was not born a female. Mavilia accuses the officer of berating her about the plastic surgery job she underwent as well.

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Greg Oden Apologizes for Nude Pictures

Mason Jamal — 2010-01-28T10:25:00+00:00

Filed under: Gossip, Basketball

Perhaps, you've been living under a rock. If not, you've heard something about the salacious episode of bad judgment starring Greg Oden of the Portland Trailblazers. Straight from central casting of clichés, Oden stars in naked 'self-portraits' that he took while standing in a bathroom aiming a camera phone at the mirror. Damn, that's so 2008. Actually, that's when the photos, that are now strewn across the Internet, were allegedly taken.

(Follow Mason Jamal on Twitter @masonsays)

I remember being in Portland the summer of 2007 when Greg Oden was drafted. His image loomed large on a billboard overlooking the city that welcomed him. If only they knew what they know now, but at the time there was something electric about their hopes and excitement. The seven foot savior was coming to the great northwest with the expectations of delivering championship banners. Fast forward two and a half years later, and Oden, the youthful geriatric giant, haunted by the curse of Sam Bowie, is on the bench for the remainder of another season due to yet another injury. This isn't what the Trailblazers' fans and front office had in mind.

To literally add insult to injury, we now find Greg apologizing for a sophomoric indiscretion that's left full monty photos of himself plastered all over the web. The thing about the Internet is no matter how long your arms may be, you can't reach inside it and take back your dignity. The Internet is stingy and unforgiving that way. This is exactly why putting your "pants on the ground" to take photos of your junk is a bad idea - a crazy bad idea. This doozy is bound to make the 2010 edition of the rookie manual. Right after the stuff about gambling, on Page 2, will be a rule that reads, "Do not take pictures of YOUR JUNK and send it to someone that you will awkwardly refer to as a 'lady friend' at a press conference 18 months after she betrays your trust leaving your dumb @ss to explain your 16-year-old behavior."

Bottom line, taking photos of one's junk is not the proper decorum for a No. 1 draft pick. That's okay for the dude at the end of the bench, on a day-to-day contract, who might as well guzzle beer and chomp on nachos with the other spectators. If the coach doesn't know he exists, why does anyone else care what he does? But a number pick? That's a different ballgame. This is why star players have agents, lawyers, publicists, assistants, body guards, personal pastors...etc. They often need to be protected from themselves. I imagine the scenario goes something like this: (Knock knock) "Greg, what are you doing in there? Are your pants on the ground? Damn it, Greg, tell me you are NOT taking photos of your penis to send to your lady friend. Tell me you are NOT doing that. Didn't we talk about this?" If necessary, the intervention team needs to be ready to bust down the door DEA style and a put an end to it.

But this is America. Sometimes it feels like we do things just to have a reason to apologize. And in the grand scheme of things, this wasn't much but a youthful act of stupidity that has happened to far too many high school and college-aged kids, which is exactly what Greg is. His was just magnified, unfortunately, because of who he is. No harm, no foul.

Haven't seen the awkward apology? Roll Tape.

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Gilbert Arenas Suspended for the Season by the NBA

Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD — 2010-01-27T22:16:00+00:00

Filed under: Basketball

NBA Commissioner David Stern has finally issued a statement about the situation between Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton, two Washington Wizards players who were caught in the middle of a peculiar gun incident. Both players were found to have brought guns into the locker room, which is a violation of NBA rules. Additionally, they were found to possibly have violated DC gun laws, as Arenas has pleaded guilty to a gun charge and awaits sentencing. Crittenton also took a plea on a misdemeanor count.

Here is what NBA Commissioner Stern had to say:

"The NBA has conducted a thorough investigation of events relating to this matter.

"It is not disputed that, following an argument on the team's flight home from a game in Phoenix, both Mr. Arenas and Mr. Crittenton brought guns to the Verizon Center locker room and - with other players and team personnel present or nearby - displayed them to one another in a continuation of their dispute. The players engaged in this conduct despite a specific rule set forth in the collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and the Players Association prohibiting players from possessing a weapon at an NBA facility, and reminders of this prohibition given annually by the NBA to players both in writing and in person.

"The issue here is not about the legal ownership and possession of guns, either in one's home or elsewhere. It is about possession of guns in the NBA workplace, which will not be tolerated.

"I have met separately with Mr. Arenas and with Mr. Crittenton. Both have expressed remorse for their actions and an understanding of the seriousness of their transgressions. Both have volunteered to engage in community service in order to turn the lessons they have learned into an educational message for others. I accept fully the sincerity of their expressions of regret and intent to create something positive from this incident.

"Nevertheless, there is no justification for their conduct. Accordingly, I am today converting Mr. Arenas' indefinite suspension without pay to a suspension without pay for the remainder of the 2009-10 season, and am also suspending Mr. Crittenton without pay, effective immediately, for the remainder of the 2009-10 season."

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.

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Celtics' Glen Davis Doesn't Want to Be a 'Big Baby' Anymore

Quibian Salazar-Moreno — 2010-01-27T11:40:00+00:00

Filed under: Basketball

After Boston Celtics center Glen Davis was called immature over the last year due to his off-court issues that included a fight, where he was suspended for 27 games this season, and last week's obscenity-filled eruption with a fan that cost him $25,000. Now he's trying to make changes.

First on the list is his nickname, "Big Baby."

"I've been called 'Big Baby' all through my life," Davis told ESPNBoston.com. "But I'm going through changes. I'm in a cocoon and I'm coming out a different player, a different person. Basically, the new person is growth. I'm shedding that Big Baby and you can see something else, not the past."

Davis apologized for his antics and is committed to making changes to his character, especially after the Celtics gave him a contract worth more than $6 million over two years.

"Sometimes in the game of basketball you kind of show your emotions in a different way, just like when you go to work and you get a staple in your hand or your boss is messing with you," he said. "In my job, it's just a different experience. I'm a young guy who is trying to learn how to live life in this sport and adapt to this lifestyle. There are some tough bumps. The Celtics have done a great job of sticking with me and understanding."

As far as a new nickname, a local suggested one, a la Chad Ohcocinco.

"'Uno Uno,'" Davis remarked, pondering his jersey number. "I like that, I like that. I'll be Uno Uno, that's my new name."

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Kentucky Freshman John Wall Forced to NBA Draft?

Quibian Salazar-Moreno — 2010-01-26T10:29:00+00:00

Filed under: Basketball

Kentucky freshman point guard John Wall is the star of NCAA basketball, and anyone who watches him play would expect him to declare for the NBA draft this year. But what if he didn't want to declare and play one more season with the Wildcats? Looks like head coach John Calipari won't be having any of that.

"If he came to me and said he was the No. 1 pick in the draft, and he wanted to come back, we'd probably be wrestling around on the floor because there's no reason, other than me trying to win more games, that he should come back," Calipari told Dan Patrick on his radio show last week.

Wall heard the comments and pretty much confirmed that he'll declare for the draft.

"I joke about coming back, and like you say, he tells me, 'No,'" Wall told the Lexington Herald-Leader. "Yeah. I really have no choice."

And regarding the wrestling comment?

"Coach might," Wall said. "He might pull my eye out. You never know."

John Wall is currently averaging 17 points, 3.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists a game - that's a stat any NBA team would appreciate.

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All-White Ball League Commish Suggests Segregated All-Star Game

Quibian Salazar-Moreno — 2010-01-26T10:25:00+00:00

Filed under: Basketball

We're sure you've heard about the "whites-only" basketball league called the All-American Basketball Alliance by now. The commissioner of the league, Don "Moose" Lewis, is steadfast on trying to make this work while maintaining that the league isn't racist.

Hard-core sports radio host Bomani Jones took the commish to task in a 35-minute interview, where Lewis continually tried to justify the league:

Lewis: "What we're stressing here is fundamental basketball, which blatantly fits white players better."

Jones: "Why do you think it blatantly fits white players better?"

Lewis: "Well, because the facts speak for themselves. Look at the NBA, which is a very athletic-oriented style of play. Would you agree with that?"

Jones: "There are definitely good athletes in the league, but it's hard to get to the NBA if your fundamentals aren't strong."

Lewis: "That can be debated, but fundamentals do get lost in the shuffle. With our league, it's going to be emphasized. That's the first thing. Secondly, the other reason for the league of being white, American-born players, not only to stress the fundamentals, but also, it is to create positive role models in the community. Now I know that's going to get some type of question from you, right?"

Jones: "Well, I'm just curious. I've never felt like there's a shortage of positive white role models."

When pressed on the segregation issue, Lewis finally lamented and admitted that his league was indeed segregated.

Jones: "How in the world is it not racist if you don't allow anybody to play but white Americans? It's segregated."

Lewis: "It's the same as a private club."

Jones: "But that would be segregated also."

Lewis: "The league is not segregated because we allow ownership of anyone, know matter what their color is."

Lewis: "But you won't let anybody play but white people.... If you say that only white people can play, I have no idea how that's not segregated."

Lewis: "I'll agree in a sense, yes, it is segregated."

Regardless of the segregation, Lewis still tried to be more inclusive of black players in his proposed All-Star game:

Lewis: "I've been approached by two different parties to not only televise what we're doing, but to turn this into a reality show from the time we start all the way through, and at the end, have our white all-stars play a group of all-star black players, with the series called Snowball Versus Bro Ball."

Jones: "And one last thing I want to ask you about before I let you go is, you talked about this before, that you talked to somebody about the Snowball Versus the Bro Ball. Where would you be finding these bros?"

Lewis: "We have had calls from black players, and some of them have actually played in our other league, and are friends of mine, that they would love to have a group of all-stars play against our all-stars. You know what? I promise you that we will sell out whatever arena we go into with that. I promise you that. That's the way people are, and that's the way human nature is."

Jones: "Sir, that doesn't sound like a horrible idea to you?"

Lewis: "Nope. Sounds like fun."

Listen to the entire interview here:

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Gun Charges Keep Rolling In for the Wizards

Paul Shepard — 2010-01-25T15:32:00+00:00

Filed under: Basketball

Washington Wizards reserve guard Javaris Crittenton pleaded guilty to a single gun charge, stemming from a disagreement with teammate Gilbert Arenas in December.

Crittenton, 22, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and attempting to carry a pistol without a license but reached a plea deal for the gun possession charge.

The misdemeanor carries a maximum of 1 year in jail, but Crittenton is likely to receive probation in the plea agreement.

Earlier this month, police searched the home of Crittenton, who has an injured left foot and hasn't played this year.

Short of losing a life, it's hard to imagine a worse season for a sports franchise than that suffered by the Wizards, a team that changed its name from the Bullets just a few years ago. Crittenton's plea brings an end to the legal aspects of the controversy.

The players involved still likely face stiff league penalties from NBA Commissioner David Stern, though.

The gun charges stem from a Dec. 21 locker room beef with Arenas, who has already pleaded to gun charges and faces jail time when sentenced next month.

The argument started over an earlier card game, prosecutors said. Crittenton allegedly told Arenas he would shoot him in the knee if Arenas didn't pay his card debt. Days later, Arenas placed guns on a chair next to Crittenton's locker, with a note that said, "Pick 1," according to authorities.

Crittenton told Arenas he didn't need Arenas' gun because he had his own and then displayed a semi-automatic handgun - all of this occurring in the Verizon Center locker room, according to prosecutors.

In a statement released by his attorney yesterday, Crittenton said he carried the gun, because he feared for his safety.

Arenas, a former all-star and Wizard fan favorite, suffered a huge fall from grace, watching the team strip his image from all areas of the Verizon Center (his jersey is no longer on sale during home games) and threatening his $111-million contract that the team may seek to have voided.

Days after issuing an apology for bringing guns to the locker room, Arenas was photographed joking with the teammate with his hands mimicking pistols before a game.

Stern suspended Arenas indefinitely without pay Jan. 6

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Stephon Marbury Takes His Game to China

Quibian Salazar-Moreno — 2010-01-22T10:39:00+00:00

Filed under: Basketball

After the turmoil with the New York Knicks and his so-so stint with the Boston Celtics, Stephon Marbury has given up on the NBA and made the move to China. According to the New York Times, Marbury signed with the Shanxi Zhongyu Brave Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association. The team plays out of the Shanxi capital city of Taiyuan, which is about 250 miles southwest of Beijing.

"The aim of signing Marbury is to pay back our fans and try to win more games in the rest of the season," team owner Wang Xingjiang told Reuters.

Wang also said that Marbury won't be making that much money, since Marbury will be able to promote his line of Starbury shoes.

"I want to bring love to Chinese fans, and I want to feel the love of the Chinese fans, so I'm going to play hard and work to help Shanxi win more games," Marbury told Titan Sports Weekly, a top Chinese sports paper, according to the Associated Press. "I've already decided, every game I'm going to give away shoes to the fans. This is my own brand -- I hope they will like them.

"I'm looking forward to joining Shanxi. I hope that I can stay a long time and can help them get to the postseason and after that go even farther," he added. "I don't need to prove that I can play basketball -- the CBA fans only need to watch me to see that I can still play."

The Brave Dragons are currently 15th in their 17-team league and are trying to push for a playoff spot with the Marbury signing. The team signed former NBA guard Bonzi Wells last season, who averaged almost 50 points a game. The contract ended after two months, however, after Wells didn't return after a holiday break.

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Alonzo Mourning, Dwyane Wade Raise Over $800K for Haiti

Quibian Salazar-Moreno — 2010-01-21T10:19:00+00:00

Filed under: Basketball

Last week, former Miami Heat baller Alonzo Mourning and current Heat baller Dwyane Wade launched the "Athletes Relief Fund for Haiti," in an effort to raise money for the earthquake victims in Haiti. In just five days, the duo raised more than $800,000. Wade donated a one game salary (worth $175,000) with Mourning, and LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Chris Paul each dropped $100,000 toward the fund.

"I expected nothing less from my friends and colleagues in the sports community," Wade said in a release. "Our commitment to this cause knows no bounds, and we will continue to accept any and all donations throughout the days ahead."

Mourning actually went to Port-au-Prince last week with Medishare, an organization that has been working to bring health care to Haiti for close to 15 years. He assisted the group in a makeshift hospital and helped distribute water, food and medical equipment.

"It is the most devastating, deplorable images I've ever seen in my life," Mourning told the Associated Press. "[An] inhumane atmosphere to where we can only pray and do the best we can to assist those individuals."

Mourning planned on returning to the city this week. Other athletes who have contributed to the fund include Michael Vick, Terrell Owens, Gilbert Arenas, Randy Moss, Carmelo Anthony, Clinton Portis and a host of others.

"Since first learning of the tragedy in Haiti, I was intent on finding a way to help," James added. "I feel fortunate to be in such a position to provide support, and my heart and prayers continue to be with the people of Haiti."

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Did Venus Williams Play Australian Open With Or Without Drawers?

Ruth Manuel-Logan — 2010-01-20T15:58:00+00:00

Filed under: Golf & Tennis

Venus Williams has tongues wagging. She is currently playing in the Australian Open and is letting them have it with both barrels by advancing to the second round, after defeating Lucie Safarova. All eyes are not only on Williams' game, though, but they have also zoomed in on her unmentionables, or the lack there of!

At the Open, Williams was wearing a bright yellow tennis skirt outfit with a ultra thigh-high slit. Nothing wrong with that, except a few ESPN cameramen were going to take a break and one of their lenses accidently zoomed in on Williams as she bent over a table. What was revealed? A buttock that was in full view.

Was Williams wearing a thong that got swallowed up? Was she going commando? Is the 29-year-old following in her sister's footsteps, when last year a MediaTakeout photographer caught Serena trying to go alfresco by removing her underwear while attending a fashion show?

Weigh in, you be the judge, did she or didn't she have on drawers?

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