NBA FanHouse

David Letterman Says Basketball Shows Why Barack Obama Is Cool, George Bush Is Not

Michael David Smith — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:01:00 EST

From David Letterman last night:

Are Letterman's writers taking their cues from FanHouse, where Will Brinson noted yesterday that Barack Obama's skills on the hardwood were just a wee bit more impressive than President Bush's?

David Letterman Says Basketball Shows Why Barack Obama Is Cool, George Bush Is Not originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chris Bosh Shows His Comedic Range, Gets Slapped By Kobe on National TV

Tom Ziller — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Raptors, Lakers, NBA Playoffs, NBA Videos, Boston, Los Angeles, TV and Movies

We all learned this season Chris Bosh has plenty of comedic talent, and apparently The Tonight Show paid attention. Jay Leno had Bosh as his Finals correspondent in Boston last night. Via Mixmakers, here's the segment:

Highlights include Glen Davis calmly explaining which Sex and the City character he'd be (at 3:50 mark) and Sasha Vujacic debunking those pesky Paris Hilton rumors (5:00).

The Kobe interlude at 3:30 seems to offer a window into just how much Mamba loved playing on the national team last summer. You don't see him slapping Luke Walton, do you?

Chris Bosh Shows His Comedic Range, Gets Slapped By Kobe on National TV originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kobe, A Shirtless Dwarf, and a Pool of Snakes

Tom Ziller — Sat, 24 May 2008 09:18:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, NBA Videos, Los Angeles, TV and Movies

Ball Don't Lie decided to post this nightmare fuel late Friday night, so I don't feel bad for (potentially) ruining your day so early on. It's another viral ad for Kobe's shoes, with an Aston Martin replaced by a pool filled with snakes, and Ronnie Turiaf replaced with Wee-Man from Jackass. Enjoy, I think.

Previously on FanHouse:
Shocking Update: Kobe Didn't Really Jump Over a Speeding Car
Kobe Jumps Over LeBron's Speeding Car

Lakers vs. Spurs

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 23: Eva Longoria Parker attends the Los Angeles Lakers vs San Antonio Spurs Western Conference Game 2 at Staples Center on May 23, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)

Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 23: David Beckham (L) and Victoria Beckham attend the Los Angeles Lakers vs San Antonio Spurs Western Conference Game 2 at Staples Center on May 23, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol fouls San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili who scores and makes the basket and follows with a foul shot for a three-point-play during Game 2 of their NBA Western Conference final basketball playoff series in Los Angeles, May 23, 2008. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) shoots over San Antonio Spurs center Michael Finley (4) during the second quarter in Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference basketball finals, Wednesday, May 23, 2008, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Actor Sylvester Stallone watches the San Antonio Spurs play against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half in Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference basketball finals, Friday, May 23, 2008 in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 101-71. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Luke Walton dives after a loose ball as San Antonio Spurs' players Tony Parker of France, left, and Damon Stoudamire, right, move in during the second half in Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference basketball finals, Friday, May 23, 2008 in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 101-71. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Soccer player David Beckham, left, and his wife, entertainer Victoria Beckham watch the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs play in the second half in Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference basketball finals, Friday, May 23, 2008 in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 101-71. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Actress Eva Longoria Parker watches her husband, French player Tony Parker's team, the San Antonio Spurs play against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half in Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference basketball finals, Friday, May 23, 2008 in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 101-71. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

San Antonio Spurs' players from left, Bruce Bowen, Robert Horry, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili, of Argentina, watch the final minutes of their game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference basketball finals, Friday, May 23, 2008 in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 101-71. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 23: (L-R) TV personalities Paula Abdul and Terri Seymour watch in the second half of the game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Two of the Western Conference Finals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 23, 2008 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Kobe, A Shirtless Dwarf, and a Pool of Snakes originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 24 May 2008 09:18:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's Gotta Be the Shoes

Charles Rich — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:08:00 EST

Filed under: NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NBA Media Watch, NCAA FB Media Watch, TV and Movies

CNBC premiered its documentary on Nike, called "Swoosh! Inside Nike" yesterday. The documentary was reported and hosted by CNBC's sports business reporter Darren Rovell. Rovell spent several years at ESPN before being hired by CNBC. I was always surprised ESPN let Rovell get away without anyone hired to replace him. I can only suppose that as ESPN has become a bigger force in the sports business, it must have been increasingly hard to have someone cover the business of sports while leaving ESPN out of the stories.

The Nike documentary was never intended to be some scathing commentary or expose on Nike. Not even close.

A couple months ago, I went to the people at Nike, who in covering the business of sports, I talk to every single week. I told them the idea of the show--a look into their company that went deeper than any report. I told them I wanted to show our viewers this sneakerhead culture. I wanted to go behind the story of Michael Jordan's incredible success even today as a shoe pitchman, delve into Nike's history and explore their advertising and finally--look into how they recovered from the labor practices that made them the poster boy for sweatshops a decade ago.

So those looking for that will be disappointed. What about the rest?
The first three segments of the documentary are mostly a rehash and look back on the Nike business and history. Most of this is nothing groundbreaking. They are stories that have been written before.

There's "Brand Jordan," which looks back on how Nike was able to get Michael Jordan to become their corporate icon. How as Jordan blossomed, the brand followed. About the only part that hasn't been covered in so many forums was a touching on the "murder for the shoes" stories of the 90s. The chief shoe designer for the Air Jordan series, Jordan Tinker Hatfield is asked about it. He denies any responsibility on his or Nike's part, instead stating how it is "a sad commentary about culture."

Then it's a "History of Nike." The founding of the company by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight as Blue Ribbon Sports, through its growth, name change and logo. The surpassing of Adidas, being caught by Reebok and then going global for the future. The piece is cut in with commentary from Nike executives and co-founder Phil Knight -- doing his interview inside but with sunglasses on for the ultimate in cool for a nearly 70-year old man. They might as well air this segment to kick off the next shareholders meeting for Nike.

After that, it's "Nike Marketing." There's a quick look at the Nike ad firm of Weiden + Kennedy that have produced the many memorable Nike commercials. The revelation that controversy generated sales. Whether it was the NBA banning Air Jordans at first or Charles Barkley's "I am not a role model" commercial. They do deny, however, that their intent was ever to generate controversy.

This bit is heavy on the celebrity feature with Tiger Woods, Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan and LeBron James all featured. The interviews of them are not new. They are culled from past interviews.

The segment on the third-world sweatshops issue had promise. Or at the very least suggested something new. They look back on the beginning of the controversy: a St. John's University assistant coach on the soccer team, James Keady. Keady learned about the workplace conditions at factories in third world countries and felt it was morally inconsistent with his Catholic social mission to support Nike. Nike had a sponsorship deal with St. John's but Keady refused to wear Nike gear. Keady claims he was forced to resign his position as a result. The statement is not challenged in the story. Keady became more involved in making the conditions known, traveling to Vietnam and living with the workers.

From there, the story shifts back to Nike and how they now work hard to be a good corporate citizen. That they have a 100-person strong staff to monitor human rights conditions at all Nike factories and contracted factories. That they make the annual report publicly available.

CNBC then takes a trip to Vietnam to see things for themselves. It's almost the standard fare of, look at how serious we are about seeing whether things have really improved. We went to Vietnam. They find that conditions have definitely improved, but there are still significant issues with wages and hours worked -- specifically that the cost of living has risen far faster than wages and excessive overtime.

The segment really misses its chance to explain how far Nike may have really come, or not. All they needed was comments or observations by Mr. Keady on what he has seen from Nike since the '90s. Or any other watch group involved in the third world. The closest they come is a college professor who has studied Nike from his office. Talking to the head of Nike's corporate responsibility is less than convincing.

The final segment is essentially a couple of fun things that bleed from one to the next. There is Nike breaking into the world of skateboarding sneakers. The theme is stressed that it comes from the Michael Jordan approach by partnering with an up-and-coming young skateboarder -- Paul Rodriguez, Jr., or P-Rod -- to help them with credibility and recognition.

It then crosses into the topic of sneakerheads or sneaker collectors. The whole issue of a subculture of collectors and obsessed people. Not to mention how Nike caters to these people by offering special limited releases of sneakers and specialty sneakers.

There's a lot to Nike's business that in never discussed. The Nike impact in college and prep sports is never even broached. I'm admittedly biased as a blogger who writes about college football and basketball, but these are areas where Nike has a huge impact. From their shoe camps to the apparel deals with college athletic departments, the impact of Nike cannot be understated. This seems like a glaring omission. Sites like Uni Watch regularly dissect and examine the impact of Nike designed uniforms. Last year, Nike made much of their new style of dress for college basketball, ahead of March Madness.

The focus of the story was clearly on the sneaker aspect of the business. Nike today, is much more than that.

Also disappointing, the support website is lacking. It is so clearly only about the entertainment aspect of the story. There is nothing additional about the sweatshop issue or any of the actual reporting. In fact, if you went by the documentary's website, you might think that they skipped the whole issue. Not even a link to the Nike Corporate Responsibility site and report that the documentary trumpets.

Overall, the documentary is mildly entertaining but doesn't add a lot of new information about Nike. The actual run time is about 42 minutes.

Nike! Inside the Swoosh airs again on CNBC on Monday, February 18 at 9 pm and 12am Eastern and on Sunday, February 24 at 10 pm Eastern.

It's Gotta Be the Shoes originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pacers Lose Sole Celebrity Fan

Tom Ziller — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:45:00 EST

Filed under: Pacers, NBA Fans, Indianapolis, TV and Movies

Mssr. Watson pointed out Indiana's flagging attendance earlier this week, heralding the franchise for being straight up about its problem holding fans' interest. Honesty may be a virtue, but it's not changing a damn thing: As reported by Reggie Miller and passed on by Indy Cornrows, Pacers celebrity fan Jared Fogle -- the guy from those Subway commercials -- has apparently given up his season tickets. Here's a slice of a local radio interview Miller did (transcribed by Cornrows):

Miller: I have one better. Jared from Subway fame, turned his tickets back in. (Miller, then kicks in the mock outrage) Come on! We lost Jared! If we're going to lose Jared, one of the best season ticket holders of all time. If we're going to lose Jared and that Subway contract, so much for the Pacers. It's over! It's over! What's next? What is next?

Where will Jared take Indianapolis' Finest on dates now?!

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Pacers Lose Sole Celebrity Fan originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Baron Explores Gangs, Park City

Tom Ziller — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:50:00 EST

Filed under: Warriors, NBA Media Watch, Oakland, TV and Movies

Filmmaking and the NBA are not exclusive; MJ crushed those MonSTARs a decade ago and Elton Brand just produced a freaking Werner Herzog film, for Fitzcarraldo's sake. But the Sundance Film Festival, that might be something new for The Association.

Baron Davis spent Sunday in Park City, premiering his L.A. gang doc Made in America. Jon Saraceno of USA Today has a great, broad write-up on the film, including this passage from Boom on why he undertook the task:

"I grew up in a household where a lot of people in my family were in gangs and involved in drugs," he said. "As a child, I got to see, up close and personal, all the negative things. Instead of watching them on TV, they were right there in my household. But all I wanted to do was make my grandparents proud of me. I saw other kids that never listened. That's one thing I did. I used basketball as my (escape route)."

But the subject matter of the doc -- and the fact all the Warriors had Sunday off completely -- didn't stop Bay Area reporters from all but blaming the (bad) Monday loss to (insurgent) Minnesota on Baron's festival visit. Sometimes, you cannot win.

Baron Explores Gangs, Park City originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The NBA Will Deny Raptors Fans the Wisdom of Sam Mitchell

Matt Watson — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Raptors, Eastern, NBA Media Watch, Toronto, TV and Movies

If there's any coach that I want mic'd up for a game, it's Sam Mitchell: the guy is as off-the-cuff as they come during actual interviews, so I can't wait to hear what comes out of his mouth in the heat of the moment during a game or during a halftime speech, even if the censors edit out all the good parts.

Fortunately, I'll have that chance on Friday as the Raps host the Pistons in a game broadcast on ESPN. But, oddly enough, the NBA is denying this opportunity to actual Raptors fans, punishing them (as well as all Canadians) for committing the egregious sin of living in a country that doesn't have ESPN. From the Toronto Star:

Raptors NBA TV produces the team's games and tomorrow's home game against Detroit will air on Rogers Sportsnet. Since ESPN is not on Canadian cable and satellite systems, Raptors fans won't get to hear what Mitchell has to say.

"We had hoped to let Canadian fans hear whatever Sam is saying, but the league has denied our request," said Chris Hebb, senior vice-president of broadcast and content for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. "They have only been doing it for three weeks and are reluctant to pass it on to other broadcasters until they've got the bugs worked out.

Those bugs include accidentally airing a profanity uttered by Jerry Sloan, which, I'm sure you heard, ~~nearly cost the NBA half its fan-base~~ really wasn't that big of a deal. Oh well, my Canadian friends, this is why God invented YouTube.

The NBA Will Deny Raptors Fans the Wisdom of Sam Mitchell originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 03 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Charles Oakley, Celebrity Chef?

Tom Ziller — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls, Chicago, TV and Movies

Stella Foster's gossip column in the Chicago Sun-Times has a too-awesome-to-be-false tip on when we might next see Charles Oakley in the spotlight (via Hoopshype):

FORMER BULLS STAR and wannabe cooking king Charles Oakley cooked up a storm at a recent bash at the Northbrook home of jewelry giant Lester Lampert and wife Maureen. Oakley, who recently filmed a pilot for a possible cooking show, wowed guests with his secret recipe for chicken wings, cheeseburger sliders, his signature blackened cod, meatloaf and peach cobbler.

(Emphasis mine.) Fans have long endorsed a reality show set on following Oak; a cooking show might be even better. As someone whose basketball habit is occasionally matched by marathon sessions with Giada De Laurentiis, Alton Brown and (of course) Anthony Bourdain, this cannot happen soon enough.

Charles Oakley, Celebrity Chef? originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 12:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More Evidence of Baron's Pixie Dust

Tom Ziller — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:11:00 EST

Filed under: Warriors, NBA Videos, Oakland, TV and Movies

Everyone knows how Hollywood Baron Davis has always been, so his appearance in the IFC Channel's Framed should not surprise. (Via With Leather.)

Emmanuelle Chriqui is correct: Boom Dizzle is huh-larious. Apparently, in this show, Emmanuelle is charged with directing a short film starring Baron. Apparently, in this show, Baron will play a flambuoyant but gangster waitress at Mel's Diner. Sounds like fun.

More Evidence of Baron's Pixie Dust originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:11:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hear NBA Coaches Scream on TNT

Tom Ziller — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: NBA Media Watch, ESPN, TV and Movies

The Chicago Sun-Times reports TNT will begin strapping microphones on coaches during its Thursday games beginning this week with Denver-Dallas and Miami-Portland. Also, cameras will record pregame, halftime and postgame meetings in the locker rooms. This is a tremendous idea... for the fans. A few assorted reasons why:

I can't wait until the first time George Karl yanks his favorite ~~scapegoat~~ whipping boy, J.R. Smith. Should be a nice conversation.
We get to hear Pat Riley speak in tongues when he forgets the mic is on.
Antoine Walker's pre-game/halftime/post-game nap.
We are all witnesses to the Spurs' pre-game ego castration ritual. I predict cow blood and and pine cones.
Mark Cuban gets to compete with Reggie Theus for silliest halftime pep/hate speech.
Pre-game story time with Phil Jackson!
Post-game Russian Roulette with Darko Milicic and Stromile Swift; post-game Celine Dion karaoke with Francisco Garcia and Beno Udrih.

Of course, half the reasons this is great revolve around the Knicks. Thursday's valiant effort against Boston was New York's only TNT appearance of the year; consider this another incentive to get NBA TV. (It's not clear if these features will invade NBA TV games, though it appears so.)

Hear NBA Coaches Scream on TNT originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 02 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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David Lee Stinks at 'Playing the Feud'

Tom Ziller — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 13:55:00 EST

Filed under: Knicks, NBA Videos, New York, TV and Movies

... but his mom is awesome! Shoals (master of the Tubes) had the intro sequence to the NBA edition of Family Feud long ago, but J.E. Skeets pointed out a new clip from the oeuvre of J. Peterman. It involves David Lee, his mother, 'lotions' and man candy. Enjoy.

Also, the players diss Shaq elsewhere in the show. (Note to PR folk attached to game shows: YouTube is your friend. The Feud gets more FanHouse love than the Grizzlies!)

David Lee Stinks at 'Playing the Feud' originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 28 Nov 2007 13:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shaq Gets Dissed on Family Feud

Tom Ziller — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:05:00 EST

Filed under: Heat, Miami, TV and Movies

Sam Rubenstein of SLAMonline has got your Family Feud spoilers. He passes along a nice anecdote from NBA week on The Feud, which airs next week. (Spoiler alert, if you, um, watch Family Feud.)

Sam says one of the questions is "Besides the players in this room, who is the greatest basketball player ever?" The team of Chris Bosh, Grant Hill, Dwight Howard, Cuttino Mobley, Richard Jefferson and David Lee rip through some obvious answers, but eventually strike out with incorrect guesses of Bill Russell (!!), James Worthy (?!) and Jerry West. The NBA team's opponents -- their moms -- miss the chance to steal by guessing George Gervin.

The answer? Shaquille O'Neal. As Sam points out, a cross-section of 100 random Americans has more repsect for Shaq than six dudes who play against him at least twice a year. Of course, this speaks more to Shaq's celebrity than his game. But given Diesel's attitude in the midst of a performance downturn, he won't take kindly to this. I mean, Chris Bosh thinks James Worthy was better than Shaq!

(This reminds me of a Wheel of Fortune joke. The puzzle reads "_EFENSE". Some version of Mike Bibby, Steve Francis, Steve Nash or a similarly one-sided player struggles with the answer. Many laughes are had.)

Previously on FanHouse: Random YouTube Magic: NBA Family Feud

Shaq Gets Dissed on Family Feud originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mark Cuban's New Heights of Self-Promotion

Tom Ziller — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 11:55:00 EST

Filed under: Mavericks, Dallas, TV and Movies

This whole Mark Cuban-Dancing With the Stars thing is getting a little out of control. Cuban has survived a few weeks despite getting killed by the judges, all thanks to the strength of the voting public. His voter base isn't exactly organic, of course -- he's encouraged his nerd hard (sic) via his blog and, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, he uses the Mavericks' contact lists to regularly send out e-mail blasts to media. I'm afraid, however, Cuban has gone too far.

Another step was taken Friday when the number to vote for Cuban was put on the video screen at American Airlines Center. Johnson was sitting courtside with Cuban when video of one of Cuban's routines was shown on the large video board in the center of the arena.

I know Jumbotron hilarity is often lackluster and there isn't exactly a shortage of time to fill during an NBA game. My issue has nothing to do with the entertainment factor; watching Cuban potentially blow out his trick hip seems more fun than watching the mascot shoot t-shirts at kids. But... this is kind-of slimy, kind-of shameless. People pay a lot of money to attend basketball games, and there's a certain level of expected advertisement. Calls to action for game show voting for a billionaire owner don't really fit in there. I think we knew Cuban lacked dignity; I didn't know he was willing completely erase it from his public existence.

Mark Cuban's New Heights of Self-Promotion originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 20 Oct 2007 11:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More NBA TV to Turner Sports Speculation

Tom Ziller — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 21:52:00 EST

Filed under: NBA Media Watch, TV and Movies

It's been more than a month since reports circulated that the league was seeking to sell off operation of NBA TV to one of its broadcast partners. Immediate rumors placed Time Warner (owner of both Turner Sports and the parent company of this blog) in the driver's seat. Plugged-in Steve Kyler of HOOPSWORLD says Turner is in fact getting ready to take over as we ~~speak~~ type.

As I opined in August, Kyler agrees: Turner Sports makes the most sense for fans of the game.

Admittedly NBATV is an amazing resource for the die-hard NBA fan, but some of the programming leaves a lot to be desired. Bringing in the resources of Turner Sports and the personalities Turner has at its disposal will likely yield a better product, and having an outside editorial voice may juice up the somewhat vanilla coverage the league-operated NBATV was generating.

Kyler shares one more media rumor: The NBA may be looking for a third party to take over its web presence. The web is currently the chief international connection for the league (especially China); picking the right company to tie those extra-American gains with the NBA's domestic audience seems both highly important and highly lucrative.

More NBA TV to Turner Sports Speculation originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 07 Oct 2007 21:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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From And1 to Will Ferrell... to the Kings?

Tom Ziller — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 12:08:00 EST

Filed under: Kings, TV and Movies

The Kings went Hollywood when they hired Coach Bill Fuller away from Deering High. The evolution from cowtown to Tinseltown continues... maybe. Rashid Byrd, a 7-footer most well known as "Seven and Sum Change" from two televised seasons of the And1 streetball tour, is in Kings camp, just months after completing work playing Artis Gilmore in Will Ferrell's ABA movie Semipro.

"We cracked jokes throughout the whole six months," Byrd said of Ferrell. "Will Ferrell is an awesome guy. He's tall, too, and he can play basketball. He's like 6-4, can shoot, works hard; he's there early."

Byrd is a deep longshot to make the roster, with a horde of variably talented bigs signed to lucrative contracts on the Kings. Howie investigated Byrd's And1 nickname over at NBA Basketball and Other Unrelatedness. Here, I'll just try to get you... excited for Byrd's big screen debut.

From And1 to Will Ferrell... to the Kings? originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 07 Oct 2007 12:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gilbert Arenas Is Gazo The Pranksta

TheHype — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Wizards, Eastern, NBA Fans, TV and Movies

So there we have it, via once again by Sports Bog's actual journalistic duties (showoff!) Dan got the scoop on what Gilbert Arenas' cartoon will really look like. It will look like something in the above picture.

"I mean, they're pranksters," Gilbert said of the show's heroes. "It's a prankster. Don't get me wrong, it's a Dennis the Menace, but it's a group, it's kids, it's what goes on in high school. So if you can imagine anything that went in high school, I already thought about it, and it's going to be in there."

"I've just got random kids," he said. "It's not the superstars of the League, I mean, the school. You know, like, when you go to school, it's the average group. It's not the "In" class; it's the "Out." But at the end of the class, there's more Outs than there are Ins, so while the Ins think they're running the school, it's really the Outs."

Gazo The Pranksta cannot publish episodes fast enough. Be sure to read the rest of Steinz' entry for other juicy parts. A couple things I'd like to comment on after the virtual jump.

So ... the name Gazo ... um, what? Where/when did that come from? WizzNutzz explain!

I know they're doing something unique in that cartoon Gil's group of kids aren't the "in" types, but man, did they have to go stereotypical on us? Asian Guy With Fashion Sense Circa 1980, check. EmoGurl15 With Skull Hairclip, check. Mexican With A Belt Buckle That Says "Jesus", check. White Guy, check. However, bonus points for coming up with a "sugar glider" that looks like it has rabies with a zipper on its pouch.

Hey I wasn't too far off eh?

Gilbert Arenas Is Gazo The Pranksta originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 01 Oct 2007 17:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LeBron on SNL: Some Kind of Disaster

Tom Ziller — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 16:26:00 EST

Filed under: Cavaliers, Cleveland, TV and Movies

Branson Wright of the Cleveland Plain Dealer lauds LeBron James' Saturday Night Live host spot as "an impressive victory." I'm not as convinced. Wright quotes Bob Costas remarking on LeBron's relative calm. Sure, LeBreezy was cooler than many guest hosts in most sketches. But during that monologue, LBJ had more yips than Dirk Nowitzki in the playoffs. And when you score at home, most of the skits were outright terrible. Blame it on the writing -- a lot of the jokes were just lame. But LeBron didn't provide much help on-screen. ("The Lyle Kane Show" was particularly terrible in all aspects.)

I thought there was at least one hit, though: The "Solid Gold" skit Wright raves about in the Plain Dealer was pretty funny (despite Keenan Thompson). It was the only sketch silly enough to make LBJ seem like a lovable goofball. The "Read to Achieve" sketch, where Jason Sudeikis plays a contemptible Kansas white boy who challenges LBJ to one-on-one, would've been good if we hadn't seen the joke before (in a commercial last year). And the "Great Moments in High School Counseling" sketch seemed to have potential but came off flat.

Unfortunately, outside of the really uncomfortable monologue and the "Solid Gold" cape scene, few will remember LeBron's SNL debut. If they take anything away from the episode, it'll be that hilarious Kanye West sketch or the knowledge Fred Armisen does a very convincing Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

LeBron on SNL: Some Kind of Disaster originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 30 Sep 2007 16:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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