The World still Loves......Kobe

Bryant again tops list of NBA's most popular jerseys

NEW YORK (AP) -- Kobe Bryant again is atop the list of the NBA's most popular jerseys.
Bryant remained No. 1 on the list released Wednesday by the league. The Lakers star has topped the ranking since the start of the 2008-09 season and also leads sales in Europe and China.

He will likely be challenged next season if Cleveland's LeBron James goes ahead with plans to switch from No. 23 to No. 6, or changes teams. James remained second on the new list.
The list is based on sales at the NBA Store and nbastore.com since the start of the season. Sales were up a combined 20 percent over last season.

Kevin Garnett was third, Derrick Rose moved up to fourth and Dwight Howard was No. 5.
The Lakers remained tops in team merchandise sales.

Copyright 2010 Associated Press.

Coutside.......in L.A.

Are these .....court side seats priceless....or what?

This time our man Tom Cruise  is getting all giddy with the fans and the Lakers.....

From TMZ.com:

Tom Cruise: I Love Black People!!!

Posted Mar 20th 2010 10:30AM by TMZ Staff

Before you get all in a huff, it's a famous line from "Jerry Maguire."



Sitting courtside at the Lakers game, Tom Cruise said hello to both Chris Brown and Kobe Bryant last night.

Not pictured: Cuba Gooding Jr., probably seated in section 310.

Kobe........Again

Last night.....in the......."Association":

Kobe.........Udate

Guess Mrs. Bryant.....wasn't too keen on the idea of Kobe being surrounded by models wearing only bras and panties.....for Show Magazine.

He was ........a "no show".......for the "Show" party......

From TMZ.com:

Kobe Bryant Exercises Image Control

Posted Feb 14th 2010 11:15AM by TMZ Staff

Kobe Bryant chose not to mix with scantily-clad women last night, and the night club that threw the shindig he was scheduled to host is pissed.

As we first reported, Bryant was splashed all over a poster promoting a party at Bacy's and sponsored by a magazine that features barely-clothed women.

Bryant, who you may remember had a little problem in Colorado a few years back, has done such a good job of rehabilitating his image -- the whole thing was a conundrum.

Kobe would never comment on the hosting gig, but the club insisted it had a signed contract. But when we arrived last night, there were signs posted saying Kobe would not be appearing ... the promoter and the patrons were none too pleased.

The sign read: "Due to circumstances beyond our control, Mr. Kobe Bryant will not be in attendance tonight. No refund beyond this point."

BTW -- the photo above shows Bryant sitting courtside at the Slam Dunk contest in Dallas last night.

Kobe's Party

Does  Kobe's  wife.....know about this party?

Kobe Bryant's All-Star Bash -- Breast Decision?

Posted Feb 10th 2010 8:08AM by TMZ Staff

The following story is all about Kobe Bryant and boobies -- allegedly.



Kobe is the poster boy on a flier touting him as the host of a party at NBA All-Star Weekend in Dallas. The catch: The party is being thrown by Show Magazine -- a men's publication featuring scantily clad and topless women.

So why would Kobe -- who dodged a career-ending bullet in 2003 -- make a move that could potentially sully his resurrected image?

Kobe's camp isn't talking -- but reps from the magazine and the club where the party is set to go down each insist Kobe negotiated a fee and put his Hancock on a contract.

The owner of Show Magazine also claims he had to have the flier approved by the NBA before he could start distributing it around town.

As for the sexy models -- we're told some of the girls from the magazine will be appearing at the party in "sexy outfits."

So we gotta ask ..

To get a closer look at  Show Magazine....click on the link below:

Kobe Bryant's All-Star Party: Show Magazine Bash Raises Questions

The Best........of the .......Best.....of the .....Best

From CnnSi.com..........We're only showing the top 20.....

These.....are the most talented athletes in the world.......and they're getting paid....because of being the very best........in their sports.

For the full list of "The Fortunate 50" Click ..... here.

1

Tiger Woods

Pro Golf

Last Year's Rank: 1

$7,737,626

$92,000,000

$99,737,626

Tiger sacrificed millions in appearance fees during his year off to recover from knee surgery, but replaced his lucrative Buick deal -- voided by mutual consent -- with a new one from AT&T.

2

Phil Mickelson

Pro Golf

Last Year's Rank: 2

$6,350,356

$46,600,000

$52,950,356

Like Tiger, Phil no longer counts on a car-maker in his endorsement portfolio. (Ford chose not to re-sign him.) He still has lucrative deals with Rolex, Callaway, Exxon, Barclay's and KPMG.

3

LeBron James

Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)

Last Year's Rank: 3

$14,410,581

$28,000,000

$42,410,581

LeBron has one more season left under his deal before he can opt out. If Cleveland doesn't show it's Finals-worthy by next spring, expect the Knicks to come in with a huge offer.

4

Alex Rodriguez

New York Yankees (MLB)

Last Year's Rank: 6 (tie)

$33,000,000

$6,000,000

$39,000,000

We're in the middle of A-Rod's peak earning power in his middle-loaded, 10-year megadeal: He'll make another $33 million in 2010 and then gradually decrease to a "normal" $20 million by '17.

5

Shaquille O'Neal

Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)

Last Year's Rank: 6 (tie)

$20,000,000

$15,000,000

$35,000,000

The Big Bargaining Chip? Regardless of his trade to Cleveland, Shaq is in the final year of the five-year, $100 million deal he signed while with Miami. It's the largest expiring deal in the NBA.

6

Kevin Garnett

Boston Celtics (NBA)

Last Year's Rank: 8

$24,750,000

$10,000,000

$34,750,000

After earning a team-high in salary this past season, KG shoots down to $16.4 million in '09-10 as his three-year extension kicks in, making him the lowest earner of Boston's Big Three.

7

Kobe Bryant

Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)

Last Year's Rank: 5

$21,262,500

$10,000,000

$31,262,500

While Kobe's league-high $23 million salary next season is certainly befitting of an NBA Finals MVP, it'll also eat up more than a third of the Lakers' cap room to rebuild under the luxury tax.

8

Allen Iverson

Detroit Pistons (NBA)

Last Year's Rank: 12

$21,937,500

$7,000,000

$28,937,500

AI just finished the final year of the six-year, $76 million extension he signed in '03 with the Sixers. Larry Brown would be open to signing him in Charlotte -- no doubt at a big discount.

9

Derek Jeter

New York Yankees (MLB)

Last Year's Rank: 10

$20,000,000

$8,500,000

$28,500,000

Yankee captain now has a place to get the kids involved in his Turn 2 Foundation in shape: He opened his second co-branded 24-Hour Fitness gym in Manhattan, and a third is scheduled.

10

Peyton Manning

Indianapolis Colts (NFL)

Last Year's Rank: 9

$14,500,000

$13,000,000

$27,000,000

NFL's top endorser has distributed $500,000 in grants in '09 through his PayBack Foundation to charities in Indianapolis, near his alma mater (Tennessee) and his hometown, New Orleans.

11

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Auto Racing

Last Year's Rank: 11

$4,611,290

$22,000,000

$26,611,290

Junior was voted NASCAR's most popular driver for the sixth straight year. But what NASCAR needs to win back fans and sponsors is for him to win more often than once every 76 races.

12

Dwyane Wade

Miami Heat (NBA)

Last Year's Rank: 16

$14,410,581

$12,000,000

$26,410,581

Even if he doesn't get a contract extension this summer, D-Wade will get his nine figures one way or another. He's suing an ex-business partner for slander and libel for $100 million.

13

Dwight Howard

Orlando Magic (NBA)

Last Year's Rank: 22

$13,758,000

$12,000,000

$25,758,000

Last year Howard bought the 11,000-square foot "Chateau d'Usse" near Orlando for $8 million. The mansion includes four kitchens, 15 TVs, two game rooms and three "mini-beaches."

14

Mark Teixeira

New York Yankees (MLB)

Last Year's Rank: NR

$25,000,000

$250,000

$25,250,000

Big Tex's $181 million deal includes a clause where he has the option to buy the eight best available season tickets. Finally, someone who can afford the $2,600 Legends Suite seats.

15

Tracy McGrady

Houston Rockets (NBA)

Last Year's Rank: 17

$21,126,874

$4,000,000

$25,126,874

Injured T-Mac spent less time on the court last season, but spent more time involved in aide to Darfur -- he visited refugee camps in Chad in '07 and continues to donate to schools.

16

Tim Duncan

San Antonio Spurs (NBA)

Last Year's Rank: 19

$20,598,705

$3,500,000

$24,098,705

Though Duncan's $22.2 million salary next season is the team's highest, the fiscally responsible Spurs still have nine players from last year's roster signed at around the salary-cap limit.

17

Stephon Marbury

Boston Celtics (NBA)

Last Year's Rank: 25

$21,937,500

$2,000,000

$23,937,500

Starbury netted some $18.6 million while riding the pine for the Knicks last season, then latched on with the Celtics in January for the veteran's minimum, earning him a prorated $1.3 million.

18

CC Sabathia

New York Yankees (MLB)

Last Year's Rank: NR

$23,000,000

$250,000

$23,250,000

Sabathia's seven-year, $161 million deal is by far the richest ever for a pitcher in baseball history. He'll earn roughly $675,000 for every game he starts over the course of this season.

19

Jason Kidd

Dallas Mavericks (NBA)

Last Year's Rank: 24

$21,372,000

$1,500,000

$22,872,000

Future Hall-of-Famer would like to stay in Dallas, but he must lower his asking price. With skills in decline, he'll be lucky to get a third of the $20 million range to which he's grown accustomed.

20

Jermaine O'Neal

Miami Heat (NBA)

Last Year's Rank: 27

$21,352,500

$750,000

$22,102,500

Miami could be without its two biggest-name players next summer when O'Neal's contract expires and Dwyane Wade can opt out. That would let the Heat rebuild around Michael Beasley.

Whole Lotta.....Shakin'.....Going On....

When we last ......left the NBA.....

The Los Angeles Lakers had just won yet another world championship.......Kobe got his 4th.....Phil Jackson got his 10th (a ring for each finger)........And we awaited the draft.

The NBA Draft.......

No suprises.......but oh.......what deals were made.

Let's analyze one major trade........

Shaquille O'neal.......is now a Cavelier........joining LeBron James in Cleveland.

Cavs, Magic make big moves with draft-day trades

Our take? (pro & con)........

The cons: Shaq is 37......weighing over 300 pounds .......on human knees and ankles. The Cavs' won 66 games last year ....without him. The offense is still built around King James. And ....it is a fast pace, jet set, run and gun type. Shaq.....will slow it down to a crawl.....

The pros: Shaq is 37........a proven winner. He gives the Cav's .......what they lacked in this years' play-offs..........a force down low. Limit his minutes in the meaningless regular season.....and ........turn him loose ...........in the post season.

You just knew this deal was coming down. Kobe, Finally won a ring.......without Shaq.

Now........enter Shaq.....and LeBron........focused on .......taking out Kobe.

Should be an interesting 2010 .......NBA season.

Purple Reign...........

This one.......was for Kobe.

Last night the L A Lakers beat the Orlando Magic, 99-86, in game 5, to win their 15th NBA World Championship.....winning the finals, 4 games to 1.

For Kobe Bryant.....it was his 4th.

For coach Phil Jackson.......it was his 10th.

For the city of Los Angeles........it was an excuse for thugs.......to act up.

For the rest of America............it was an end........to a wonderful NBA season.

They said, "Kobe couldn't win, without Shaq".......They said, "The Lakers were soft, lacked heart."..............They said, "Phil, just picked his spots...to coach".....They said, "The Lakers would not win."

Well.........."they".......were wrong.

These Lakers..........Kobes' Lakers.........are World Champions.......again. And Kobe should now get the credit and the due diligence he so richly deserves.

Kobe..........straight out of high school.......speaks several foreign languages..........has two beautiful daughters and a gorgeous wife........Kobe.....whom a lot of guys are simply jealous of.......

Kobe..........Took this team.....put it on his back.....and carried it through the 82 game season....and the marathon known as the NBA play-offs....

Kobe........this ones' ..........for you.

Hump Day News & Views

It sure feels like summer-time......in this southern college town. The temperatures are in the 90's........it's humid.......it's hot........and it's only June.

It is Wednesday.........."Hump Day".....Here's what we're following:


A series.......after all..........

The Orlando Magic beat the Los Angeles Lakers last night, 108-104. The Lakers still hold a 2 games to 1 edge in the best of 7 .....with the home team winning all three games.

From the Chicago Tribune: Orlando Magic sets shooting record, beats L.A. Lakers in NBA…

The Magic shot 63% from the field........Kobe Bryant missed 5 of 10 free throws........commits four turn-overs........And the Magic still only win ....by 4 points.....at home.

Last night, they dodged a huge....."Kobe" bullet.

From Yahoo Sports:

				1		2		3		4		Total
		LA Lakers	31	23	21	29	104	Final
		Orlando	27	32	22	27	108

LAL: K. Bryant 31 Pts, 3 Reb, 8 Ast ORL: D. Howard 21 Pts, 14 Reb, 2 Ast Lakers lead series 2-1
Box Score - Recap - Highlights

TV..........and the NBA.....A love-fest........



These finals may not include New York, or Boston.....or LeBron James.....but.....America is watching.


Last nights over night ratings.......according to Nielsen:

Time

Net

Show

18-49 Rating

18-49 Share

18-34 Rating

18-34 Share

Viewers Live+SD (million)

10:00	ABC	NBA Finals: Game 3	4.5	12	4.9	16	10.647
	NBC	NHL Stanley Cup Finals: Game 6	2.5	7	2.1	6	6.145
	CBS	48 Hours Mystery (repeat)	1.9	5	1.2	4	8.850

The NBA is beating Hockey's Stanley Cup by almost a 2 to 1 margin....

That myth about the NBA being a "thug" league.......is just that .....a myth. In the all important 18-34 year old demographic........the NBA is being watched in more homes ....and sports bars than ever before.

Admit it..........these guys........are the best athletes in the world.



Mike Vick & Bankruptcy.......

Seems Michael Vick.......is not exactly bankrupt......At least the judge hearing his case is not convinced. He gave Vick until July 2 to come up with a new plan.....and even suggest Mr. Vick sell a few houses and a few cars.....to pay off his dept.

From Bing.com: Judge: Vick Must Get Bankruptcy Plan In Place By July 2

Poor Michael........



Hump Day.....short-shorts:

The Atlanta Braves......have won 3 in a row...(shhhhh) don't tell anyone.

Including last night.....The N Y Yankees have lost all 6 games to the Boston Red Sox...

Joe Montanas' son........is going to the University of Washington...to play quarter-back..

Tiger Woods.....won his 67th career PGA tournament Sunday....amazing!

The WNBA is back........are you watching?

Have a great....."Hump Day"