Lingerie League Puts 'Fun' into Fundamental Basketball

If the looming NBA lockout has bred anything but thoughts of NBA stars playing overseas, watching games live on ESPN at 3 a.m. and long winter nights yearning for a Blake Griffin dunk highlight, you're wrong.  No Lakers, no problem.  Mix a little Kobe Bryant and Kardashian sisters and you get the Lingerie Basketball League.  Only from the beaches of California could an idea like this make you forget about David Stern.  It's similar to Lingerie Football-- only with even less padding.

The professional women's basketball league debuted July 23 and, as the league's slogan says it's, "Where Beauty Meets the Hardwood."

The players wear little more than brightly-colored panties, garters and sports bras.  Even a flagrant foul is pretty easy on the eyes and 'driving the lane' just got a whole new meaning.

The Los Angeles-based league has four teams:  The Beauties, The Divas, The Glam and The Starlets-- and the girls can play.  See for yourself:

The league uses most of the same rules as traditional women's basketball.  There is a 35-second clock, two 20-minute halves, but uses a high-school 3-point line.  A held ball results in a jump ball between the Amazonian beauties and the "Red Light Special" gives a player 60 seconds to score bonus points.

Trash talking is rampant although there hasn't been a dunk yet.  That's OK, because the fans are there to see good, fundamental basketball skills.

Some women's rights groups have already condemned the league-- so what else is new-- but the league has shown to be gaining popularity pretty fast.

How the LBL expects to gain fans around the country when all four teams are based in L.A. is a mystery--oh yeah, they play in their underwear.

Still can't see the WNBA following suit.

Derek Jeter Is Most Popular Male Athlete Despite Recent Bad Publicity

Derek Jeter was voted the "Most Popular Male Athlete" according to a just-released Harris Poll.  The New York Yankees shortstop is perched at the top spot for the first time, replacing Kobe Bryant who held the title last year.

Jeter's rise from the No. 3 spot in 2010 to the No. 1 position wasn't influenced too much by his highly-publicized quest for his milestone 3,000th hit because the poll of 2,163 participants were contacted during the week of June 13-20, when Jeter was on the disabled list.

Peyton Manning moved up from No. 5 to the second spot.  The face of the NFL also endorses half a dozen prominent products and his mug is seen on plenty of TV commercials.  The Indianapolis Colts quarterback had a popular faux '70's movie trailer, co-starring his brother Eli, flooding the Internet about the same time of the poll.

Even the NFL lockout couldn't dim the ubiquitous football star's popularity.  He was the most popular athlete polled by Gen-X (ages 35-46).

Michael Jordan, whose final NBA game was eight years ago, still tied for third place with Los Angeles Laker Bryant.  Jordan was the most popular athlete from 1993-2005, when the title was handed over to golfer Tiger Woods.

Surprisingly,  Woods was the most popular this year with the "matures" (ages 66+) according to the Harris Group.  He was number one from 2006-2009.  Still, the shamed and slumping golfer had the biggest drop in the top-ten.

"As his playing woes continue, it is likely that his (Woods) fall will continue next year", said a Harris representative.

Even so, Woods marketing team has to be happy.

Bryant was the most popular among Hispanic and African-Americans in the Harris Poll.

Jeter was big among the Baby Boomers (ages 47-65) even though the The Captain has been in the news a lot lately-- and not for all the most popular reasons.

Jeter's quest for the 3,000 Hit Club was accomplished in grand style last week after he went 5-for-5 and bashed the historic hit into the centerfield stands.  The home run ball was caught by a fan, Christian Lopez, who was immediately whisked out of his seat by Yankees personnel, who--many believe-- overwhelmed the young man into turning the ball over to Jeter for a mere pittance.  Now Lopez is stuck with a whopping income tax bill to cover the season tickets he got as a reward.  Now,  even Yankees fans say that Jeter should foot the IRS bill in exchange for the ball.

After that controversy,  Jeter skipped out on the All-Star Game he was elected to; citing his recovery from a strained calf and preparing for the wear-and-tear of the second half of the season as his reasons.  Many fans didn't think he deserved to be in the Mid-summer Classic in the first place.  He spent the break in Miami with his girlfriend actress Minka Kelly.

Noticeably absent from the Top Ten is Lebron James.  King James "Decision" last summer seems to have turned off more than only Cleveland fans.  James was No. 6 last year.

Besides Woods, another bad boy made the list.  Hines Ward tied with Albert Pujols at the seventh position.  The Pittsburgh Steeler was arrested a couple of weeks ago--after the poll was taken-- for suspicion of DUI.  Ward's "Dancing With the Stars" victory probably pulled in a lot of the ladies' votes, but apparently not as many as Manning.  The QB was the most popular athlete among the women polled.

First timers to the Top Ten included Ward, Pujols, Derrick Rose and Aaron Rodgers.

The top three female athletes were at No. 1, tennis-star Serena Williams followed by her sister Venus and race car driver Danica Patrick.

Kobe Bryant Sued By An Ohio Woman

Kobe Bryant just doesn't have it when it comes to women. First there was the rape case in Colorado now Bryant is being sued by an Ohio woman for breaching a marriage proposal.

Selina Miller who claims residence in Columbus, Ohio and Santa Ana, California, filed a lawsuit in Orange County on June 24 claiming that on May 1, Bryant gave her "a completed and signed agreement" and that his subsequent behavior "comports with unfair business and no good faith efforts."

Ok Kobe how do you explain this one to Vanessa. I don't know if a trip to Zales is gonna bail you out if this has any shred of credibility. I don't think it does, but in this crazy world who knows.

"The plaintiff, Selina Miller, request [sic] breaching party, Kobe Bryant, to correct his failure to provide plaintiff with the purchase of a ring," reads the four-page suit.



Miller also stated why the National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar might not have given her a ring: "The defendant, Kobe Bryant, states he communicated with person [sic] stating Selina Miller is a prostitute."

When Miller was contacted she says Kobe repeatedly visited her for "intimate relations". She seems bitter that there were other women Bryant frolicked around with and got more of a reward than she did. She even mentioned that someone had an STD but wouldn't mention any names.

"He likes playing games with women more than people know," said Miller. "I'm upset because he promised me a ring [during one visit], and then some other people influenced him, and I didn't get it. He thinks he can stop by my house any time he wants to. There are other women, too. One of them got a ring."


Miller says she wants to sue Bryant for some money he owes her. She filed a previous lawsuit against Bryant and the NBA for invasion of privacy, but an Ohio judge ruled that the lawsuit was "frivolous" and "not plausible".

I know Bryant isn't this stupid to travel down this road again. and I don't he would put anything in writing so it could come back and bite him in the ass. 






   




 

Sean Avery Speaks Out For Gay Marriage; Gets Bashed For It

Who knew that New York Rangers hockey-goon and serial dater Sean Avery had such a soft spot for relationships?  The abrasive and controversial NHL winger appeared in an ad this week endorsing same-sex marriage for the Human Rights Campaign's New Yorkers for Marriage Equality drive.  Now Avery is garnering criticism for standing up for the group's message.

Avery might seem like an odd choice to appear in the video, along with former-President Bill Clinton, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and actors Julianne Moore and Sam Waterston,  which advocates gay marriage.

The polarizing Avery--who once interned a summer at Vogue magazine, got suspended for making nasty remarks about his ex-girlfriend actress Elisha Cuthbert and got bum-rushed from Dallas to New York for his dirty play and filthier mouth--has never fit squarely into any mold.  Supporting same-sex marriage in the macho world of professional sports is another twist in his colorful image.

"I treat everyone the way that I expect to be treated, and that includes marriage," said Avery.

It would have been easier for Avery to stump for other popular, cut-and-dry social issues like safe-sex or drug use, but he took a position that even the most ardent Avery fans might not accept.



The tough guy is promoting an issue that no other New York pro-athlete has publicly talked about--never mind openly supported--and Avery is getting roundly applauded by gay and lesbian groups around the country.  But Avery's stand is not coming with out it's detractors.

Avery's view drew a barrage of critical tweets from hockey agent Todd Reynolds.  The vice-president of the Ontario-based Uptown Sports Management company represents about 10 NHL players including Nashville Predators Mike Fisher--husband of singer Carrie Underwood--called Avery's appearance in the ad "wrong."

"I'm very sad to read Sean Avery's misguided support of same-gender marriage, legal or not, it will always be wrong," said Reynolds.  " I believe in voicing your opinion and not being part of the silent majority.  If Sean Avery, or another player, can comment on one side of the discussion, then I'm in hockey 24/7, why can't I comment on it as well?"

Other agents and players were more acceptable of Avery's stance.  

Phoenix Coyotes winger Paul Bissonette tweeted, " I agree with Sean Avery and his comments on same-sex marriage..If 2 people are happy together let them be happy."

Agent Scott Norton told the New York Daily News, "I'm shocked that an agency would come out and have those views publicly, when you're speaking not only for yourself and your employees, but the  people you represent and the sport you represent."

The potty-mouthed Avery might be the last person anyone would consider politically correct, but his support may be louder than a cross-check to the boards.

In the world of professional men's sports, homosexuality is still a forbidden topic.  It is one of the last major barriers waiting to be knocked down.  The F-word hangs like a scarlet letter in every locker room and, even in the heat of a game, the utterance could have dire consequences.  Look at the huge fine levied on Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant for mouthing the word on national TV two weeks ago.

No star-athlete from a major sport has ever come out.  Only a few lesser-knowns have come out after their playing days are over.

Without Avery, this ad would have probably been lost in the glut of public service announcements.  Maybe the most unlikely of spoke persons, a pro hockey player, will give gay-marriage the high-profile it never would have received by going to a new audience who normally care more about skating rinks than wedding rings.

Quote Of The Week: Charles Barkley

Once again Charles Barkley takes the quote of the week award. Honestly he could probably take it for teh year.

Here's Sir Charles on Kobe Bryant and the aging process from sportsradiointerviews.com. 

“Well he’s older. He’s older now. I’ve said the last year that he’s slowed down. You know, Tim Duncan has slowed down. I mean, listen, Kobe Bryant has been in the league a long time. He’s on my list…I made up a list, and he’s the sixth greatest basketball player ever in my opinion. He’s been a great, great player. But I tell you, the ain’t but two things in life that are undefeated — Father Time and those Las Vegas casinos.”

Kobe Says He'd Beat LeBron 1 on 1

Drop the 3-point shootout and slam dunk contest immediately and replace with a 1-on-1 competition. Smartest idea I have read in years. Absolutley right, who would not want to see that? Take 8 top NBA stars (pick 'em any way you want as long as Kobe, LeBrpn and Carmelo are in) and play a 1-on-1 tourney with $2 mil to the winner and that would be MUST SEE TV. That would be something every basketball fan would tune in to.

Some Lakers need to stop playing scared

Kobe Bryant is right.His teammates need to man up and play ball. Despite being the defending champions, some Lakers aren't getting rid of the notion that they're soft. Going into a possible season ending Game 6, Bryant seemed to questions some of his teammates' toughness. I really don't like to see a player calling out his teammates,but in this case Bryant may be right. No one besides him seemed to show up for Game 5. Andrew Bynum gets a pass because he's basically playing on one leg. I'll also give "crazy" Ron Artest a pass since for the first four games, he had Paul Pierce shackled. But the rest of the gang needs to step up if the Lakers stand a chance to make it to Game 7 and attempt to sweep the next two games. Pau Gasol seemed to shed the soft label after last season's finals, but he hasn't done anything to change my opinion of him. A good player, but a traditional European softy. Lamar Odom has regressed to floating, the story of his whole career. The rest just haven't made the most of their opportunities. Bottom line, if the Lakers want to live to see another day, tonight is the night to lay it all on the line, because tomorrow may be too late. 

Kobe Bryant adds to his legend

This is why Kobe is widely regarded as the best in the league.

  

NBA is fantastic

This move is Jordan-nesque,but its straight out of a video game.

  

Will the Lakers be "the family circus"

An early season 94-80 loss to the Dallas Mavericks have Mark Cuban and a few others saying I told you so. I know it's early in the season, but the Lakers looked bad last night, in the process making Mavericks owner Mark Cuban seem prophetic. During the preseason he said that the Ron Artest signing would open the door for others in the Western Conference. True things weren't working last night but i'm sure Phil Jackson will get everything straightned out and Kobe Bryant will make sure everyone stays on the same page. Another potential distraction is Lamar Odom. With the high profile marriage to reality tv Khloe Kardashian, he'll have more cameras following him than he had before. Odom usually keeps out of the spotlight, now he's being thrust into it. Hopefully he can keep his mind on his game and not crumble under the increased attention he gets away from the arena. An immense talent, he's always had a tendency to drift and disappear during games. Although this seems like a recipe for trouble i think the Lakers will overcome this circus atmosphere to remain kings of the west until proven otherwise.