Shaq Traded To Cleveland Cavaliers

The deal is just about done. Following rumors of a trade, 15-time NBA All-Star Shaquille O'Neal is reportedly headed for Cleveland in a deal that frees up some cash for the Phoenix Suns.

The Cavs are sending Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic and a second-round pick in Thursday's (June 25) draft to the Suns. The deal was reached late last night and is expected to be finalized today.

By acquiring Shaq, the Cavs hope the aging O'Neal, who is entering the final season of his contract, can help give Lebron the supporting cast he needs for his best shot at a title, after a disappointing Eastern Conference Finals series in which he lost against the Orlando Magic, ending their hopes at reaching the Finals -- which they were expected to reach after ending the regular season with the best record in the NBA.

However, critics question whether Shaq alone will help King James complete that task. After all, his move to Phoenix backfired and the Suns didn't even make the playoffs. Simply put, O'Neal is not the same player he was when he was winning three titles with the Lakers from 2000-02.

"They didn't give up anything for him in terms of main rotation players," said one Eastern Conference president. "So that's good. But Shaq doesn't give them size in their backcourt to match up with the Magic. And as for being someone who can guard Dwight Howard, Shaq can't do that. The Magic are still better, depending on what happens in free agency."

TNT analyst gave this senerio on how the match-up with Lebron and Shaq could work: "If Shaq is willing to accept a subsidiary role to LeBron James -- how can he not? -- and get out of the way when the James Express gets up a head of steam down the lane, the Cavaliers could have some offensive success. If Shaq can accept the fact that minutes, perhaps entire quarters, may go by when he doesn't get so much as a sniff of the ball, the Cavs could have some offensive options down the stretches of games other than clearouts for LBJ (though, thinking about it, that's been a pretty effective play)."

James could enter free agency in 2010, so another missed Finals would be reason for the King to leave Cleveland. But if the Shaq team-up proves to work, it could keep him there.

James can extend his contract this summer. But he is expected to wait to see what the Cavs do to increase his chances of winning a title. Since joining Cleveland in 2003, he has made it to one Finals, in 2007, losing to the Spurs in four games. The Suns, meanwhile, are in a cost-cutting mode and decided that O'Neal's $21 million salary was worth dumping.

Word has it that Shaq found out he was being traded through Twitter. DAMN!!!

Kobe Bryant Wants You To Know...

Because I'm from Cali doesn't necessarily mean I'm a Lakers fan! So I don't even know if this pic is from the parade or if this is just Kobe being... what else... Kobe. But I'll go with the former and the latter on this one. Kobe wore this today to show off all four of his rings. I guess it would have been in poor taste to actually wear them on four fingers so instead, it was more pleasing to the eye for everyone to see the rings displayed all across is scrawny chest!

Way to show your humility Kobe! Good job son!

Why Do Basketball Players Wear Arm Sleeves?

Does anyone know why some NBA players wear a sleeve on one arm during gameplay?

Well, here's why: some feel it helps keep their shooting arm warm during play; others use it to relieve muscle tension and/or stopping the sweat from dripping down to their hands; some are required to cover up inappropriate tattoos; and others simply wear it as a fashion statement.

The Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard wears an Adidas Techfit with Powerweb elbow sleeve, which is the brand that he endorses. And the company is getting some nice national exposure with Dwight and his team being in this NBA seasons finals.

Dwight says that he wears a sleeve simply because he likes how it looks and because he wore it one day in practice and liked how it felt and thought he'd wear them even in games... and there you have it folks. Although, I'm still not sure what the whole "tech fit" thing means though.

Adidas is jumping at the chance to promote the sleeve, worn by Howard as well, as it's predominately featured on the homepage of its website. According to WBZ's Dan Roche, the one arm sleeve has become a trend among players, influencing both young ball players and kids to go out and spend cash on them. The trend has turned the unnecessary sleeves into money-makers for apparel companies.

For more info about Adidas' Techfit line, visit Adidas.com.

DeAngelo Hall Cut From Raiders Roster

Former Atlanta Falcon and the now former Oakland Raider DeAngelo Hall has been been waived from the teams roster after eight months and eight games in to the season. All this after he just signed his $70 million contract. Maybe it was his big mouth that got him cut. This dude needs to learn when to shut up. Just because you're a good players doesn't mean that you are indispensable.

The Oakland Raiders’ decision to waive DeAngelo Hall has garnered many surprise reactions from his teammates who now wonder even more about the future of the franchise.

“I’ve never been in a situation where you cut one of the best players,” said safety Gibril Wilson, another of the team’s offseason acquisitions. “That’s strange to me. It’s almost like we’re throwing in the towel.”

The Raiders waived Hall on Wednesday, bringing a disappointing end to a short tenure in Oakland. The Raiders sent a second-round draft pick in 2008 and a fifth-rounder next season to Atlanta in March to acquire Hall, who immediately was given a seven-year contract. Hall was supposed to form one of the top cornerback duos in the league with Nnamdi Asomugha, but struggled from the start of the season as he adjusted to the Raiders’ man-to-man defense. He had shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, but was let go anyway following a 24-0 loss to the Falcons this weekend which dropped Oakland to 2-6 on the season.

“I’m obviously disappointed,” Asomugha said. “I don’t agree with what happened. I don’t agree with what’s going on. But I am just a player so I can’t speak on it. I don’t make the decisions. All I can do is play but I don’t agree with what happened at all.”

The move to cut Hall follows other changes made by coach Tom Cable since taking over from Lane Kiffin on an interim basis after four games. Michael Huff, the No. 7 overall pick in 2006, lost his starting safety job and is now a third-stringer. Ronald Curry, the team’s leading receiver the past two years, has been relegated to special teams play. Asomugha said the recent moves have led to some players being tentative on the field, afraid that they could be next to lose their starting job or spot on the team.

Allen Iverson Traded To Detroit

In a move that is meant to send excitement back into the Motor City, Detroit, The Denver Nuggets have subsequentlly traded guard Allen Iverson in exchange for Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess, a league executive with knowledge of the talks said.

Pistons center Cheikh Samb also will go to Denver to make the salaries match in the trade. Billups helped guide the Pistons to the Eastern Conference finals during each of his previous six seasons in Detroit. He grew up in Denver and played 58 games for the Nuggets over two seasons from 1998-2000.

McDyess has had two previous stints with the Nuggets, and began his career with them in 1995. Iverson was traded to Denver in December 2006, but was not able to help Carmelo Anthony lift the Nuggets out of the first round of the playoffs in his two seasons there. The trade gives the Pistons salary-cap flexibility at the end of the season. Iverson’s contract, which pays him $21.9 million this season, expires in July. Billups is owed $36.3 million over the next three seasons and has an additional $14.2 million team option for 2011-12. McDyess will make $6.8 million each of the next two seasons

Baby Sister Serena Williams Slams Big Sis Venus On The Court

I'm not a big tennis watcher, but I caught a bit of the U.S. Open quarterfinal between sisters and my fellow Cali girls Venus and Serena Williams. Last nights show was a definite slug fest between the sisters at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

It didn't just seem like the quarterfinal though; It was more like a heavyweight boxing match between Tyson and Riddick Bow. It took about 2 1/2 hours to fight it out and 199 points between the two sisters and didn't get a definitive decision until a challenge was called, and an overrule made, on the final point of the tautest two-set drama you will ever see.

Serena Williams survived her big sister. She did it by the score of 7-6 (6), 7-6 (7), and by winning virtually every big point of the match. Don't ask me what this all means, I just know it was an exciting match.

"It definitely felt like a final of the U.S. Open," said No. 4 Serena, who is two victories away from her third Open title and her ninth Grand Slam title. "It just boiled down to one point here and there." In winning for the ninth time in the sisters' 17 meetings, the 26-year-old Serena didn't merely reverse the outcome of the Wimbledon final. She combined with her sister to end 10 days of mostly lopsided women's matches. The sisters themselves played four of them apiece, until they went after each other.

In tomorrow's semifinals, Serena will play No. 6 Dinara Safina.

Jeremy Shockey Traded To New Orleans

I'm so geeked about football season being just weeks again that I can't stand it! But just 24 hours after Miami Dolphins Jason Taylor gets traded to the Washington Redskins, here comes another "shocker" to top that NFL story.

The New York Giants and New Orleans Saints completed a trade that has been in the works for months. Upset tight end Jeremy Shockey was traded to the Saints for a second and fifth-round draft pick in 2009.

Trading Shockey leaves the Giants with a huge void at the tight end position, with their five tight ends having started just six games. Meanwhile, the Saints offense just got that much better with the addition of the four-time Pro Bowler in Shockey.

Alongside Marques Colston and with the running back duo of Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush, New Orleans should be the favorites to win the NFC South. Shockey is a welcomed addition to the Saints lineup. Despite Shockey's season-ending injury, the Giants went on to win the NFC title and beat the previously undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. When the boys in the "upper room" noticed that the team had success, even without Shockey, it sparked immediate speculation that the team would be better without the often vocal and increasingly injured tight end. Before the draft held earlier this year, there had been rumors that the Giants wanted to trade Shockey, and those rumors are now factual actions.

I'm sorry to all of the NY fans, and any other fans out there... be on the lookout for a powerhouse team in New Orleans this season!!!! ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?????

Gang Signs On The Field?

Since when have athletes starting associating themselves with street gangs, AND displaying their love for those gangs on the court/field? Well, it's happening, and the approriate athletic leagues aren't taking it lightly.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the NFL has hired experts to study game footage to determine whether players are using street-gang signs during the celebration of a sack or touchdown. Although, league officials do not believe the problem is widespread, the NFL has spoken to some unidentified players about their use of hand signals.

“There have been some suspected things we’ve seen,” Milt Ahlerich, the NFL’s vice president of security told the Times. “When we see it, we quietly jump on it immediately, directly with the team and the player or employee involved to cease and desist. Period.”

The NFL’s decision to review game tape for suspected signs came when the higher profile case of gang signs occurred during the NBA playoffs. Boston Celtics forward and captain Paul Pierce was fine $25,000 for making “menacing gestures” towards the Atlanta Hawks bench during a game of the opening round series.

We were always suspicious that [gang-related hand signals] might be happening,” Mike Pereira, the NFL’s vice-president of officiating told the Times. “But the Paul Pierce thing is what brought it to light. When he was fined…that’s when we said we need to take a look at it and see if we need to be aware of it.”

True enough, you have young guys coming into the leagues from all over, and we don't know any of their affiliations, if any, when they're at home. Most of the gestures you may see on the field/court are fraternity related, or signs that some players have for family or friends. Who knows, but whatever the case may be, I'm sure it's about to come to an end! But would that infringe on ones freedom of speech???

2008 Olympic Dream Team Announced

The U.S. 2008 Olympic "Dream Team" has been announced, and MVP/Los Angeles Laker, Kobe Bryant is set to lead Team U.S.A. to victory. Joining Kobe on the top of the league roster is LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd, Tayshaun Prince, Carlos Boozer, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Michael Redd and Deron Williams. So you mean to tell me that nobody from the Champion Team Boston Celtics was picked? Are you serious? Well, I hope that they have a better showing than they did back in 04 when they went 5-3 and got booted by Puerto Rico and then lost to Lithuania and Argentina to boot, and even then, they still had big names on that team including, LeBron, Carmelo, D-Wade.

Tiger Is Out For the Season

On Sunday, Tiger Woods won his 14th major championship at the U.S. Open. This was a special day for Tiger because not only was it his first fathers day, but it was also the first time that he had won the tournament since his father passed in 2006. Just two days after his win, Tiger announced that he would be missing the rest of the season due to him undergoing reconstructive surgery to his ACL.

Celtics vs Lakers: Battle of the Ages

The ultimate showdown in NBA basketball goes down tonight. It all begins at 8:30 p.m. EST, and is sure to have millions gathered at sports bars, pubs, your homeboys crib, or anywhere there will be a television. It's the classic rivaly: East meets West. This battle has been told many times over and is the most talked about rivalry in NBA history. Not since Magic Johnson and Larry Bird has this competition for on the court bragging rights, been so heated.

A little history on the teams:

The Lakers and the Celtics have met to play each other a total of 10 times in the NBA finals, with the Celtics winning the first eight games and the Lakers taking the last two. The first match up of the two teams was back in 1959 when the Boston Celtics beat the then, Minneapolis Lakers for eight straight titles. But the true rivalry among the teams didn't start until the 1960's when the Celtics beat the Lakers six times in eight years to take home the victory. Back then, the Celtics had Bill Russell and Bob Cousy and the Lakers had Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. After that period of time, the rivalry died down some, but was brought back with a fevered frenzy in the 80's with players that dominated the game for the two teams, namely Magic Johnson (Lakers) and Larry Bird (Celtics). The rivalry took on many parts of the spectrum from East vs West, working class grit vs hollywood glitz, old tradition vs air conditioned luxary, and most looked at it like black vs white because the Lakers were a predominately black team, whereas the Celtics were predominately white. But all of this, coupled with the emergence of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, the retirements of Magic Johnson and Larry Byrd, led to a decline in this age-old rivalry.

So folks, we're back to the basics on this one. Kobe Bryant vs Kevin Garnett. Kobe has three championships under his belt and the new age Celtics and K.G. have none. The Celtics currently lead in total championships with 16 to the Lakers' 14

Falcons Rookie Gets $72 Mil Contract!

The Atlanta Falcons signed former Boston College QB Matt Ryan to a six year, $72 million contract with a substantial bonus of $34.75 million. GOOD GRIEF CHARLIE BROWN!!! That is $25 million more than the #1 pick Jake Long received. Ryan was the third pick out of the first round in the draft. He will be competing for the 1st string position against Joey Harrington and Chris Redman. I think we all know that with a contract like that and competition with a lack thereof, he'll be getting that position. The deal was completed today between Ryan's agent Tom Condon and The Falcons at 3:15 pm, just 15 minutes before a league imposed deadline which would have made it much more difficult to sign players to a six year contract. I swear I'm in the wrong business!

Jigga Man To Rep The Nets

The New Jersey Nets basketball team has decided to send part-owner, Jay-Z to represent them in the NBA Draft Lottery on Tuesday. We all know that Jay has referred to himself "Lucky Lefty" in his music at a point in time, but the Nets will need more than luck on this one. The Nets have a 1.1 percent chance of landing the first of the draft and a mere 4 percent chance at even getting one of the top three picks.

The lottery, which will be aired on ESPN, has gone from being just a 10 minute stretch during halftime of one of the NBA playoff games, to a full 30 minute televised special. I'm sure this is all a cool scheme to get people to tune in and to see how intricate the Jigga Man can be as a business man. Ya'll better respect his hustle.

Daaaaang Lebron!

The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Boston Celtics in last nights 2nd round of NBA Playoff games 88-77... but not before Lebron James told him mama a thing or two. Lebron who went up for a drive to the basket was drug into the crowd by Paul Pierce (left). Of course any mother doesn't want to see her baby hurt, and rightfully so. It's our motherly instinct that kicks in when our young are seemingly defenseless. But when it's their job and they're 6'8" 250 lbs, I pretty sure they can handle it on their own. Lebron's mother Gloria jumped up out of her seat and ran to her son's aide and what did Lebron say? "Sit yo' @$$ down mama!" LMAO!!! I'm sorry, it's funny! I can't help but laugh. Of course, he should have used a better choice of words, but damn, how long has he been playing ball? And I'm quite sure this isn't his first time being fouled! Let it go mama, let your baby be a man. He can tend to his own boo-boos!

Vick Is Ordered To Pay Up

A judge has ordered ex Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick to pay a Canadian bank $2.4 million for a loan he defaulted in as a result, I'm sure, from all of his legal troubles. The Royal Bank of Canada sued Vick back in September. Vick's attorneys argued that his guilty plea to federal dog fighting charges and the termination from his career, thus resulting in Mike not being able to pay back the loan. Apparently, the suit that was filed in U.S. District Court in Newport News, VA states that the terms of the loan are if at any point in time employment changes negatively impacting Vicks income would result in a default in the loan. The reason why I'm showing Vick with his Falcons jersey is because he is still a Falcon in my mind and my world. But it's a trip how 3 cops can shoot 3 unarmed men 50 times and it's not considered reckless or bad judgement but Vick who only financed the dog fighting get's almost 2 years in prison. The law is so just isn't it ?*sarcasm oozing from my words*

Kobe To Be Named MVP

The NBA is scheduled to announce today at the Los Angeles Hotel, that Kobe Bryant is the winner of the Most Valuable Player Award. The Award will be given to Kobe by NBA Commissioner David Stern on Wednesday night right before the Lakers face the Utah Jazz in game 2 in the second round playoff series. Kobe endured his share of trials and tribulations throughout his career, but I'm sure nothing tops it more than your peers and the people you work so hard for, recognizing your skills and awarding you for that. Kobe Bryant is a ridiculous ball player. He's known for creating shots for himself and averaging 25 or better points per game. He's a terrific outside shooter and shares the NBA record for single game three point shots made with 12.

Hawks slammed by Celtics 99-65

Well, the party's over folks. The PA system at the TD Banknorth Garnden Arena played an ode to Atlanta Hawks in the tune of Gladys Knight and the Pips' "Midnight Train to Georgia".

The Hawks had been dubbed the "Cinderella" team of the playoffs and rightfully so. The Hawks had earned the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference while The Celtics went 66-16 for the leagues best record, which I might add was 29 games more than Atlanta. Although the Hawks won all three of their home games, they just couldn't keep their opponent off in the distance. In Game 6 Rajon Rondo threw up a 3 pointer to potentially tie the game, but missed, thus forcing the two teams to take the series back to Boston for Game 7. The Celtics are 18-5 in Game 7's, but haven't won one since beating Atlanta in the second round in 1988.

The Boston Celtics are set to play LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in game 1 Tuesday night.