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  • Verizon Exclusive Partner of 15 NBA Teams

    Verizon Exclusive Partner of 15 NBA Teams

    Verizon has announced it is the exclusive partner of 15 NBA teams, and now has its Ultra Wideband 5G deployed in 60+ stadiums.

    Ultra Wideband is Verizon’s name for the fastest flavor of 5G, mmWave. It offers speed measured in gigabits, and opens a world of new possibilities. The company is helping NBA teams use the technology to create more immersive experiences for fans in attendance. As one example, fans will be able to point their phones at a player and seen their stats and information on their screens, get shot/miss projections and more.

    Verizon and the NBA teams clearly see such experiences as a key element to luring people back to in-person events.

    “As fans return to live events, the need to reimagine the in-arena experience and operations has accelerated and 5G Ultra Wideband is a critical component,” said Brian Mecum, Vice President of Device Technology for Verizon. “The deployment of 5G in these arenas is the foundation for unlocking future fan experiences and solutions for venue operations.”

    Below is a list of partner teams:

    • Cleveland Cavaliers – Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
    • Denver Nuggets – Ball Arena
    • Detroit Pistons – Little Caesars Arena
    • Golden State Warriors – Chase Center
    • LA Clippers
    • Los Angeles Lakers
    • Memphis Grizzlies – FedExForum
    • New York Knicks – Madison Square Garden
    • Oklahoma City Thunder – Chesapeake Energy Arena
    • Phoenix Suns – Phoenix Suns Arena
    • Portland Trail Blazers – Moda Center
    • Sacramento Kings – Golden 1 Center
    • Utah Jazz – Vivint Arena
    • Washington Wizards – Capital One Arena
  • Microsoft Selected As Technology Partner For Digital CES 2021

    Microsoft Selected As Technology Partner For Digital CES 2021

    Microsoft has been selected as the technology partner for an all-digital CES 2021, slated for January.

    The Consumer Technology Association’s (CTA) CES is one of the biggest technology trade shows of the year. Companies unveil and demonstrate their upcoming products and services.

    With the coronavirus pandemic, however, events like CES have been canceled en masse, or moved to digital venues. Microsoft has considerable experience in this area, as the company has hosted digital versions of a dozen of its own events. In addition, Microsoft has worked with the NBA, the NFL and iHeartMedia to help them with their events.

    This experience was a major factor in the CTA choosing Microsoft to be its technology partner. CES 2021 will use Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Power Platform to power the digital conference.

    “When we look back at the last six months, the opportunities these events have provided for increased learning, inclusivity, connectedness and accessibility for all our customers, partners, enthusiasts and employees around the world are inspiring,” writes Bob Bejan – CVP, Global events, production studios and marketing community. “There is an immense appetite for these broad-reaching, digital-only events, and an immense potential for them to positively impact customer, partner and even employee relationships. And now, we cannot wait to apply all of our learnings to the creation of the CES 2021 experience.”

  • Microsoft Scores With NBA Partnership

    Microsoft Scores With NBA Partnership

    Microsoft has announced a multi-year partnership with the NBA, beginning with the 2020-21 season.

    Microsoft’s technology has been a staple on NFL sidelines for years, but the new NBA deal represents a significant expansion into the sports world. With the new deal, the NBA will use Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform to broadcast on-demand and live broadcasts.

    The partnership will also heavily utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to improve the customer experience. The technology will be used to help generate a “more personalized fan experience,” based on the NBA’s video archives. AI and ML will also help provide coaches and broadcasters with unique insights.

    “We are thrilled to serve as the official AI partner of the NBA,” said Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft. “Together, we’ll bring fans closer to the game and players they love with new personalized experiences powered by Microsoft Azure.”

    “This partnership with Microsoft will help us redefine the way our fans experience NBA basketball,” said Adam Silver, NBA commissioner. “Our goal, working with Microsoft, is to create customized content that allows fans — whether they are in an NBA arena or watching from anywhere around the world — to immerse themselves in all aspects of the game and engage directly with our teams and players.”

    The partnership is a big win for Microsoft and the company’s technology will help revolutionize the experience for NBA officials and fans alike.

    Image Credit: Microsoft

  • Optus Demos 5G Mixed Reality Sports Streaming

    Optus Demos 5G Mixed Reality Sports Streaming

    Watching sports may never be the same if a demo by telecommunications company Optus is any indication.

    ZDNet is reporting on a demonstration Optus put on at its headquarters in Sydney, in partnership with mixed reality firm Unbnd, combining the power of mixed reality and 5G. Mixed reality (MR) is the term that covers both augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).

    According to ZDNet, in the presentation Optus and Unbnd demonstrated “a 360-degree ‘virtual theatre’ that allows viewers to experience National Basketball Association (NBA) content in either 2D or 3D, such as live games and replays, while also providing access to additional mixed reality information like scores and statistics, as well as the ability to buy NBA products such as basketball jerseys.”

    The technology could eventually allow viewers to watch and essentially ‘participate’ in sports that would otherwise be too dangerous for the average person. As an example, according to ZDNet, the demo “showcased an immersive sportscar racing experience which was streamed to a 5G-capable handset. In that mixed-reality experience, viewers could see three 4K video streams concurrently — ranging from driver POV streams to the main race coverage — in addition to real-time statistics such as the positions of race cars on the track map and the speed of each driver that are tracked by Internet of Things sensors.”

    Optus and Unbnd’s demo is an amazing example of what’s yet to come as 5G is paired with other revolutionary technologies, such as MR.

  • Michael Jordan And Steph Curry Get Mentioned By Kanye West In Controversial Tweet

    Rapper Kanye West has made another controversial Twitter post this Sunday in which he compared himself to two NBA stars: Michael Jordan and Steph Curry.

    Kanye West is known for his crazy Twitter rants especially when his latest album The Life of Pablo came out. Just earlier this week, he tweeted to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, asking the social media exec to invest $1 billion into his music because he is the “greatest living artist.” This time around, he mentioned legendary Bulls star Michael Jordan and Golden State phenom Steph Curry in his latest post.

    He called himself the “Michael Jordan and Steph Curry of music” before adding that he is “the best of two generations.”

    Jordan has yet to comment on the said tweet but Curry had mixed feelings about it. He found it amusing that West would consider him “best” in his field and at the same time weird to be mentioned with Jordan.

    “I’ve seen a lot of his crazy kind of outlandish tweets in the past, especially in the past month, and then when I saw my name cross through his fingertips that was pretty funny and ‘honoring’ at the same time and also very weird, putting me in the same conversation as Michael … and Kanye,” the Golden State Warriors player told the reporters.

    He went on to say that he found one interesting meme of him and Jordan in their jersey with West’s face on both players and said it was his favorite meme to date.

    “Someone did a graphic of me in my jersey and Jordan, they dubbed him guarding me, and Kanye’s face was on both of us. That’s my favorite meme of all time — or so far to-date. I’m gonna have to get that blown up on my wall or something,” Curry said laughing.

  • Marlana VanHoose: Blind Teen Belts Rousing National Anthem In Game 6 Of NBA Finals

    A 19-year-old teen named Marlana VanHoose wowed the audience as she performed the national anthem during NBA Finals on Tuesday.

    The Cleveland Cavaliers decided to invite VanHoose to sing the national anthem for Game 6 of NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. High profile artists like Rascal Flatts, Usher and Carlos Santana have all performed the anthem at Cleveland but the Kentucky native arguably had the best rendition of  “The Star-Spangled Banner” this year.

    VanHoose was born with the cytomeglo virus and her optic nerve has never formed — she has been blind her whole life. According to her website, doctors didn’t expect her to live for more than a year.

    VanHoose has sung at games for the Cavaliers before and performed at several University of Kentucky women’s basketball games. She has also shared her talent for singing at a number of other sports events including the NASCAR Sprint Series Cup Race.

    The Cavaliers believed that VanHoose would bring them luck for their game against the Warriors in Game 6.

    In 2012, the Lady Wildcats were undefeated in games before which VanHoose sang the national anthem. That was the time when she became an internet sensation. Her popularity grew so much that ESPN’s “E:60” even did a profile on her in December of last year.

    The Cavaliers have also witnessed similar luck when they won their matchup in April against the Miami Heat after VanHoose performed the national anthem.

    VanHoose’s rendition of America’s national anthem caused a buzz  on social media platforms like Twitter.

    One tweet from Matt Jarrells wrote, “If you missed that National Anthem, then you missed out on goosebumps on top of goosebumps.”

    “Marlana VanHoose performed a magnificent National Anthem,” said The Cauldron.

    Jeff Van Gundy also commented on VanHoose’s performance tweeting,”Courage personified there.”

  • Lamar Odom, Khloe Kardashian: No Divorce in the Cards Just Yet

    Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian are reportedly not ready to get divorced just yet. A new report from In Touch says the divorce case that was filed by Khloe Kardashian back in December of 2013 will soon be dismissed if Lamar Odom doesn’t respond to the petition or she doesn’t proceed in pursuing a divorce.

    It definitely doesn’t look like either of those options will take place, so–at least for the time being–Khloe and Lamar will remain a legally married couple.

    This probably doesn’t shock fans of Keeping Up With the Kardashians or one of its spinoffs, Khloe and Lamar. They have long known that while Khloe couldn’t handle Lamar’s drug use, she never stopped loving the NBA star.

    It was only about a week ago that Khloe Kardashian publicly acknowledged her love for Lamar Odom in an Instagram post that featured his initials as she gripped the gear shifter in her Bentley. Khloe captioned her post with an emoji of a heart.

    A photo posted by Khloé (@khloekardashian) on

    Do you suppose there is actually a chance that Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom might get back together again and live as husband and wife? Or is this simply another delay of the inevitable? Might there simply be too much water under that proverbial bridge for Khloe and Lamar to have a successful relationship again?

    And what about French Montana? Khloe and the rapper don’t appear to be an official couple, but they definitely enjoy spending time together–and it’s certainly not all platonic fun.

    Does Khloe have a better chance of winding up with French Montana or Lamar Odom?

  • Gabrielle Union on Sex, ‘Being Mary Jane,’ and Hubby (?) Dwayne Wade

    Gabrielle Union is hot in BET’s hit show Being Mary Jane. She spoke recently about the various sex scenes she plays as part of her role, as well as about her handsome hubby, Dwayne Wade. Of course that title (hubby) is a bit questionable in light of recent reports stating the couple has no marriage license on file.

    Mary Jane Paul is the role Gabrielle Union plays in Being Mary Jane, and this season finds her with three possible love interests. The TV reporter she portrays gets lots of action on the small screen.

    “There’s three love interests for Mary Jane this season, so there’s a lot of action, a lot of sex,” Union said during her interview with Extra’s AJ Calloway.

    How does Dwayne Wade feel about all this sex? Does he watch Gabrielle Union in these scenes?

    “Not often… luckily, he too looks amazing without his shirt. He’s not a bad-looking person, so he’s not short on self-esteem, nor is he jealous,” Union says of the NBA superstar.

    Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade meet in front of the TV for their regular date with Scandal.

    “Well, I watch the whole Thursday night lineup, but he joins me at 9PM. I start with Grey’s Anatomy, and he comes in for Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder,” she says.

    Aside from TV talk, Gabrielle Union and AJ Calloway spent a few minutes dishing about Dwayne Wade–and not just his TV interests.

    His wife (if that’s really what she is) shared a little secret–about his love of shoes.

    “He’s Imelda Marcos. He has so many shoes, he built a room just for his tennis shoes. It’s a show vault with special shelving, lighting, like if you came to visit you’re going to have to stay in a hotel because that extra guest room is a shoe show vault,” she said.

    Now that’s probably a little-known fact about Dwayne Wade that the NBA is all to happy to learn.

    Do you watch Gabrielle Union in her role as a successful TV reporter on Being Mary Jane? Would your significant other be able to overlook such TV sex scenes the way Dwayne Wade does, if you played this sort of role?

    And what do you make of this rumor about Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade not being officially married? Are they hiding something or was there simply a glitch in the paperwork somewhere?

  • Michael Jordan’s Mind-Blowing Immersive Simulator Allows You To Relive His Greatest NBA Moments

    Ever wanted to be in the shoes of NBA Superstar Michael Jordan? Well now, you can. To celebrate the 30th year of the Air Jordan and this year’s NBA All-Star Weekend, a pop-up museum was showcased at the All-Star Headquarters right across from Madison Square Garden.

    The highlight of the pop-up experience was “The Last Shot,” an All-Star game exclusive that takes fans and museum visitors through a one-of-kind experience that allows them to relive the glory during two of Michael Jordan’s most memorable games.

    While fans waited in line, they were given a chance to choose between two scenarios to experience. These storybook moments from Jordan’s career include his winning shot during the 1982 NCAA Championship game against Georgetown and the moment he scored the last shot during the 1998 Chicago Bulls game against the Utah Jazz.

    At first, the room might seem like an ordinary studio, but once the game loads, fans are treated with a visual spectacle that makes the room look like a basketball half-court. The walls come to life thanks to massive LED display and the viewers are given a 360-degree look at the scenes that were recreated for the installation.

    The experience also includes real players who give fans a challenging time on the court. A play-by-play announcer calls out every move that you make, making the experience more life-like. The All-Star Weekend is an important moment for brands which is why the people from Jordan’s team thought of creating an innovative and unique experience for those who want to know more about the NBA Legend.

    The pop-up museum also includes a full tour that will guide visitors throughout the decade-spanning career of Jordan. Jordan memorabilia, like one-of-a-kind photos and autographed shoes are on display, giving visitors an exciting peek into the life of Michael Jordan. They can even take a selfie with the legendary player right at the end of the tour, giving them something to share on their social media accounts.

  • Charles Barkley Calls Ferguson Looters ‘Scumbags’

    Former NBA star and current Inside the NBA analyst Charles Barkley has called Ferguson, Missouri looters “scumbags,” while applauding police officers who work in black neighborhoods. Barkley added that he supports the grand jury’s decision not to indict Darren Wilson for shooting of Michael Brown.

    Regarding the Ferguson verdict, Barkley told Mike Missanelli at 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia Tuesday that “the true story came out from the grand jury testimony.”

    Sir Charles added that he was aware of “key forensic evidence, and several black witnesses that supported Officer Darren Wilson’s story. I can’t believe anything I hear on television anymore. And, that’s why I don’t like talking about race issues with the media anymore, because they (the media) love this stuff, and lead people to jump to conclusions. The media shouldn’t do that. They never do that when black people kill each other.”

    Barkley commented on the looting in Ferguson, saying, “there is no excuse for people to be out there burning down people’s businesses, burning down police cars.”

    The response to Barkley’s comments has been mixed:

    Barkley went on to praise police officers, and remarked, “We have to be really careful with the cops, because if it wasn’t for the cops we would be living in the Wild, Wild West in our neighborhoods.”

    The NBA great added, “We can’t pick out certain incidentals that don’t go our way and act like the cops are all bad. … Do you know how bad some of these neighborhoods would be if it wasn’t for the cops?”

  • Dave Chappelle Sticks Up For Donald Sterling

    Just this year, comedian Dave Chappelle made his triumphant return to the world of stand-up comedy. The comedian, who’s known for his observations and routines regarding race, couldn’t have made his comeback at a better time. Chappelle returned to the stage right at the peak of the scandal involving Donald Sterling and his racist tirade. Despite the fact that Chappelle thinks what Sterling said is outrageous, he believes Sterling should have been allowed to keep the LA Clippers.

    “Ultimately, I don’t think he should have lost his team,” Chappelle said in an interview with GQ. “I don’t like the idea that someone could record a secret conversation and that a person could lose their assets from that, even though I think what he said was awful. When you think about the intimacy of a situation, like, can a man just chill with his mistress in peace?”

    For Chappelle this is an issue about freedom of speech. He said in the same interview, “I just don’t like when things like that happen, because if they take s–t away for things that people say that are objectionable, I may not have anything in a few years. Granted, I don’t think I say s–t like ‘Stop bringing white people to my game.’”

    Chappelle famously walked out of the production of his successful TV show because he was unhappy with the direction the show was taking. He said in the interview about this particular point in his career, “I would go to work on the show and I felt awful every day, that’s not the way it was. I felt like some kind of prostitute or something. If I feel so bad, why keep on showing up to this place? I’m going to Africa. The hardest thing to do is to be true to yourself, especially when everybody is watching.”

    Dave Chappelle on Donald Sterling (explicit content)

  • Steve Nash Ex-Wife Legal Battles Tarnish Legacy Of NBA MVP

    Steve Nash may never play professional basketball again.

    According to the Associated Press, a back injury has successfully prevented Nash from playing this season for the Lakers. “Being on the court this season has been my top priority, and it is disappointing to not be able to do that right now,” he said. “I work very hard to stay healthy, and unfortunately my recent setback makes performing at full capacity difficult. I will continue to support my team during this period of rest, and will focus on my long-term health.”

    Although he’s refused to call this upcoming season a farewell tour, Nash has said in the past that this season would likely be his last. Now it’s looking like he’s not going to be playing basketball at all. Not only is he the NBA’s oldest active player, he also managed to snag two MVP awards. Unfortunately, his legacy also comes with the burdens of legal battles with his ex-wife.

    This July, Fox News reported a settlement was made in the child custody case between Nash, and his wife, Alejandra Amarilla Menrath. But that was only a recent conclusion to a battle that has marred Nash since his divorce in 2011.

    There was a lot of public confusion surrounding the case. TMZ was baffled that Nash said flat-out “I don’t want my kids to grow up in L.A.”, yet, when the court ruled that his ex-wife couldn’t move the family from Phoenix, TMZ reported he apparently allowed the move anyway.

    If Steve Nash’s Instagram is any indication, Los Angeles has grown on the player as a place to raise his children. He’ll certainly have more time with them now that his injury prevents him from playing.

    With my G at school movie night. Love Cali.

    A photo posted by stephennash (@stephennash) on

  • Keyshia Cole Shows Little Sympathy for Ex Daniel Gibson’s Depression Claims

    Singer Keyshia Cole, 32, is showing little sympathy for her ex and estranged husband Daniel Gibson‘s claim that he was depressed after they broke up.

    “As far as his depression is concerned, I think as a friend, he has to understand, as well, that things that bring you to that point of being depressed or losing something that matters to you more than anything, you can’t repeat the same thing that got you there in the first place,” Keyshia told the 106 & Park audience.

    The NBA pro has claimed that life without his wife and son has led to a bout with depression.

    “I’ve learned through the depression I went through after losing Keyshia and I felt like [I lost] my son too in the sense that I couldn’t be with him every day. That whole thing took me into a deep depression, and in that depression I kind of found out a lot of things about myself,” he told Necole Bitchie for her website necolebitchie.com.

    The 28-year-old Cleveland Cavaliers player tried desperately to work things out with Cole after cheating on her and wanted to make their marriage work. However, Cole says she was and is done with the whole thing.

    “As a friend that would be something that I would have to express to him. You gotta just grow up,” she said.

    Cole advised her ex via the interview to learn from his mistakes and deal with the consequences of his actions.

    Isn’t this the pot calling the kettle black?

    What about the consequences of her arrest for assaulting a woman at her alleged boyfriend Birdman‘s party last month?

    Police say the singer wigged out and attacked the woman “leaving scratches all over her face.” She was charged with misdemeanor battery.

    “I really do appreciate my fans rolling with me over the last 10 years, but I’ve learned that some things you just have to keep to yourself,” she has said of the incident.

  • Nicki Minaj: Did She Blow Off the NBA?

    Nicki Minaj: Did She Blow Off the NBA?

    Nicki Minaj is being sued for allegedly blowing off an NBA All-Star party back in 2011. It doesn’t sound like the ‘Anaconda’ rapper to blow off anything party-related. Do you think there’s any basis to this lawsuit?

    Cahuenga, Inc. has filed a lawsuit against Nicki Minaj, alleging that she breached her contract to serve as host for that party back in February of 2011. The suit claims she was paid a generous sum to appear at the event, to which she was late. She allegedly only stayed half as long as she was contracted to stay.

    The lawsuit claims that Nicki Minaj was paid $53,050 to appear at the NBA All-Star Weekend event at Hollywood’s Siren Studios. It goes on to say that she was supposed to host the party from 1:00 A.M., but showed up at 1:30 and was gone by 2:00. The suit is alleging breach of contact, unjust enrichment and other counts–meaning Cahuenga wants its $53,050 back, “plus lost revenues, including but not limited to, refund claims and lost sales.”

    Nicki Minaj’s reps have yet to publicly acknowledge the lawsuit. One source believes the whole situation was simply a matter of Minaj being a diva. She certainly exhibited highly skilled diva traits when serving as a judge on American Idol. In fact, she closely rivaled fellow judge Mariah Carey in the diva category–don’t you think?

    Diva or no diva, when you sign your name on the dotted line, you are expected to honor that contract–even if your name is Nicki Minaj.

    Do you think Nicki Minaj blew off the NBA? Do you expect she will have to repay the $50,000? Or will her lawyers find a loophole and get her out of this legal mess?

    Fans can check out Nicki Minaj–likely in her true diva form–at the VMAs this coming weekend. Airing on August 24th, the ‘Pills N Potions’ singer is on tap to perform.

    Image via Instagram

  • Steve Ballmer Becomes Owner Of Clippers

    Steve Ballmer Becomes Owner Of Clippers

    Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is now the proud new owner of the Los Angeles Clippers. The NBA released the following statement:

    The transaction in which Steve Ballmer purchased the Los Angeles Clippers closed today following the entry of an order by a California court confirming the authority of Shelly Sterling, on behalf of the Sterling Family Trust, to sell the team.

    The NBA Board of Governors previously approved the sale and Ballmer is now the Clippers Governor.

    Ballmer paid a reported $2 billion for the team. Just to put that into perspective, Snapchat is said to be worth $10 billion.

    The deal, of course, came after the controversy that erupted when previous owner Donald Sterling made racist comments, which were recorded and highly publicized, leading to his ban from the NBA.

    Ballmer’s agreement to buy the team was first made public in late May.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Tanya Stine to Marry NBA Referee Violet Palmer

    When she entered the league in 1997, Violet Palmer broke multiple barriers. At the time, Palmer became the first female to ever officiate an NBA game, despite pressure from fans who believed that a woman would not be able to keep up with the physical or mental rigors of a man’s game. What many people did not know, however, was that Palmer was breaking another barrier – one that would not be made public for 17 years following her initial foray into the NBA: Besides being the first ever female referee, Palmer was also the first gay referee.

    On Friday, Violet Palmer will marry her partner of 20 years, Tanya Stine – a popular hairdresser in Los Angeles. The proceedings will be officiated by Tanya Young Williams, star of Basketball Wives LA and former wife to NBA All-Star Jayson Williams.

    Despite the fact that Palmer is just now officially announcing her sexual preference, she has not been keeping the information a secret.

    If someone asked me, I would tell them. But am I going around with the gay flag posted on my forehead? I didn’t feel like it was necessary. But I never hid it. I think you just get to a certain point in your life where you go, you know what, it doesn’t matter anymore. I think that’s where I am at that point in my life.

    Palmer stated that as she became close to officials in the league, they would eventually discover the truth. However, she never wanted to make a big deal of the situation because she did not want it to overshadow her work: ”I always wanted people to just look at my work. Not look at my personal life, not look at my sexual preference. That doesn’t matter. I just wanted people to say, ‘Wow, she is a pretty damn good referee.”’

    And a damn good referee Palmer has proven to be over the years. While many may have doubted her skills and aptitude at the beginning of her career, Palmer quickly proved her worth, earning her first appearance in the NBA Playoffs in 2006, nine years after her first game. Palmer also refereed the NBA All-Star game this year.

    Initially, Palmer decided to give the NBA a shot because she saw it as a direct challenge to her skills and abilities: “I thought, ‘I don’t know what their [the NBA’s] intention is, but I am going to referee in the NBA. I knew right then. It was just everything about it: the level of play; me being as competitive as I was. And I just knew, I just knew I would be able to do this.”

    When people questioned whether she had the gumption to withstand the verbal assaults and antics from professional male athletes, Palmer had one response: “I’m from Compton. I’ve heard worse in the streets.”

    This Friday, all Palmer and her partner Stine will hear are cheers from their 130 closest friends as the two get married in a small, close-knit ceremony in Los Angeles – a sound rare to the ears of any NBA official.

    Image via YouTube

  • Shaquille O’Neal Audition To Pharrell Williams Brings Out Cheers and Groans

    Pharrell Williams may be known for his runaway viral video hit “Happy”, but he also happens to be curating the soundtrack for the latest NBA video game, NBA 2K15.

    So what happens a few days after it was announced Williams had the job? He received an audition by the man Billboard described as “the artist responsible for a string of major-label albums during the 1990s (who also had a basketball career on the side)”, Shaquille O’Neal himself.

    Now, almost a week later, O’Neal keeps getting cheers and boos. Who knows if Williams saw the audition, but 135,042 people on YouTube did.

    What are the critics saying about O’Neal’s approach? Many, like Colin Joyce of Spin, are a little skeptical, calling O’Neal’s freestyle verse “warbling answering machine lines”. “You don’t get the sense that he’ll be challenging the likes of Future and YG for the best rap album of the year,” Joyce wrote.

    Others, like Carl Lamarre of XXL Magazine, were much kinder. “His time may come,” Lamarre wrote, “It’s apparent that Shaq still has his flow from ‘Can’t Stop The Reign’.”

    With the widespread viral nature of the audition, it may be hard for Williams and the game makers to say no to O’Neal. Dan Carson of the Bleacher Report had an idea for them to consider. “Allow the man to lay down a track, but add a caveat: He has to clown on the rest of the biggest names in the game,” he wrote, “Make it an unlockable bonus song—or better yet, a music video.”

    As for Williams, he has a big job ahead of him, but also a rewarding one. “I’m tripping out that we get to put this music out,” he told Billboard about the process, “This never happens — the system is never like that, where you look up and go ‘Wow, we just pulled that off.’ I’m pumped and excited.”

    Image via NBA 2K, YouTube

  • Rajon Rondo Mentioned in Trade Rumors… Again

    Rajon Rondo Mentioned in Trade Rumors… Again

    When Rajon Rondo entered the NBA in 2006, he did so via a trade. Drafted by the Phoenix Suns with the 21st pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, Rondo was then traded to the Boston Celtics, where he had played ever since. Despite leading his team to an NBA Championship in 2008 and taking them back to the title game in 2010, trade rumors have circulated around Rondo since the beginning. And, now that all of the “big names” have been signed in the 2014 off-season, Rondo’s name has started making the rounds once again.

    This time, the courting team is the Houston Rockets. Earlier today, it was announced that Miami Heat star Chris Bosh would not leave the Heat and would return, leaving the Rockets empty-handed once again. With Houston trading Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik and allowing Chandler Parsons to be bought by the Dallas Mavericks to clear salary cap space, the Rockets are left with a depleted roster and are desperately seeking options to put next to James Harden and Dwight Howard.

    While Kevin Love’s name has been tossed around by the Rockets quite a lot, the off-season moves they have already made make it nearly impossible for them to construct a deal worthy enough to draw interest from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Considering this, making a move for Rondo is potentially the best opportunity for Houston to land a big-name star before the deadline.

    The move also makes sense for the Boston Celtics. Danny Ainge and company drafted Marcus Smart in this year’s draft and also resigned Avery Bradley, leaving them with a young back-court which can be built around. With no real All-Star caliber players to support Rondo, the Celtics are not likely to see another post-season run in the near future. Which is why it makes sense to get the most they can for Rondo right now.

    Image via Twitter

  • Chicago Bulls Rumors: Boozer Gone to Free Salary Cap

    With the excitement of the World Cup finally dwindling down after Germany’s thrilling extra-time win against Argentina, the world can now spend its time obsessing over the latest NBA moves. Of course, we all know that LeBron James has decided to return home and take his talents back to Cleveland, the place where he was born and raised. However, there are several other teams that are making big-time moves to better their rosters for the upcoming 2014-15 NBA season. Coming off of a successful, yet still slightly disappointing, season last year, the Chicago Bulls are one such team looking to reinvigorate its roster with some new acquisitions.

    The latest news from the Bulls’s camp is the signing of two key, low-post players: Pau Gasol and Nikola Mirotic.

    Gasol comes to the Bulls via the Lakers, where he won back-to-back NBA championships in 2009 and 2010. Despite still playing with All-Star potential, averaging 17.4 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, Gasol found himself on the outside-looking-in on a Lakers team that is trying to rebuild itself around Kobe Bryant through newer, fresher faces than injury-plagued and aging Gasol.

    Mirotic was first acquired by the Bulls in the 2011 draft, but the organization has selected to keep the stretch-four player in Spain for the past three seasons, allowing the 6’10’ forward – and arguably the best basketball player in Europe – to develop his game to NBA level.

    With the acquisition of two new big men, though, comes the loss of someone currently in the Bulls organization – Carlos Boozer. While nothing has yet been confirmed, most sources agree that the Bulls are going to use the amnesty clause of the collective bargaining agreement to waive Boozer and his $16.8 million contract for his final year in order to clear more space under the salary cap. The amnesty clause means that the Bulls will still have to guarantee Boozer his contracted money, but that Boozer’s salary will not count against the Bulls’s overall salary cap.

    The acquisitions of both Gasol and Mirotic will take up most of the room created by the release of Boozer. There will be some room still left under the salary cap, though, leaving many to wonder who the Bulls will go after next. Much speculation has been made about the Bulls pursuing Carmelo Anthony. However, with the latest news reporting that Anthony has agreed to stay in New York for $120+ million, the odds are not in the Bulls favor.

    Which leaves one, big name left on the table – Dwayne Wade. The Miami Heat guard has never played for a team besides the Heat throughout his entire NBA career, but with the loss of James and potentially Bosh (both to their respective home town teams), the prospect of taking his talents to Chicago may be more tempting now than never – despite the fact that a person close to Wade has said he shows no interest in returning:

    With the return of Derrick Rose, though, and the addition of a great passing center in Gasol and a stretch-four in Mirotic, the Bulls may have no room for Wade in a theoretically stacked roster. And, with the Bulls already sporting an injury-prone roster (Rose, Gasol, and Noah), Wade may not be the right fit anyways.

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  • Miami Heat Rumors: LeBron Still in No Man’s Land

    On Wednesday, LeBron James met with President of the Miami Heat, Pat Riley. And at the end of said meeting, nothing was accomplished – a scary thought for fans of the Miami Heat.

    In case you have been living under a rock for the past month (or just too caught up in all the World Cup fervor), Miami Heat star LeBron James is now a free agent and on the market, looking for the best NBA team at which to win his fourth championship. Not only did James opt to become a free agent, but his two compadres, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, did as well. While Wade is expected to sign with the Miami Heat again regardless of James’s decision, Bosh has been rumored to want to wait until LeBron decides where he wants to go before making a decision.

    What that decision from James will be is anyone’s guess. Before Wednesday’s meeting, most Heat fans would have guessed that LeBron was staying with the Heat due to the recent acquisitions of Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger – two pieces Riley and the Heat acquired in order to rebuild the team around LeBron.

    However, with LeBron leaving his hour-long meeting with Riley on Wednesday without a commitment, Heat fans should be worried as to what is to come.

    Especially with the recent moves from the Cleveland Cavaliers. If you remember (And who couldn’t?), LeBron played for the Cavs for seven years before snubbing them to go to the free agency market and eventually signing with the Heat. After his “betrayal”, the city of Cleveland and Cavs owner Dan Gilbert effectively disowned James, calling him a coward and attempting to strike his name from the history books.

    Now that the Cavs have the opportunity to woo LeBron back, though, all is seemingly forgiven.

    Yesterday, Cleveland composed a three-team deal which would drop $9.5 million from their salary cap, leaving the team $21.7 million under the cap overall. All of this wiggle room not only allows Cleveland to sign LeBron, but also makes their pursuit of LeBron’s friends and teammates (such as Ray Allen and Mike Miller) all the more plausible.

    With LeBron voicing his opinion that he most certainly wants a max contract (putting him at $20.7 next year), the odds are looking in Cleveland’s favor right now.

    That is, unless Chris Bosh goes to the Houston Rockets, clearing enough space for the Heat to land Carmelo Anthony. Or, perhaps LeBron will sign with the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, or LA Lakers – all teams his agents has visited.

    In the end, one thing is certain – LeBron James will be making much, much, much more money than you, I, or anyone else we know next year. And in LeBron’s world, that seems to be what matters.

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  • Lebron James to Meet with Pat Riley

    Superstar forward and unrestricted free agent LeBron James is scheduled to meet with Miami Heat president Pat Riley within the next few days, in a sitdown set up by James’ agent Rich Paul

    After James opted out of his contract with the Heat two weeks ago, Paul has been in talks with teams including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets. The teams have been told that James himself maybe be willing to meet during the week, and will attend a Nike-sponsored basketball camp on Wednesday as well.

    James is reportedly seeking a maximum tier contract, at roughly $20.7 million, and there have been rumors that Paul has favored the Cavaliers as being at the forefront to reacquire King James. After all, Paul is from Ohio.

    Fans took to Twitter with their prognostications:

    James, who has been compared to the basketball greats of the past, has garnered four NBA MVP Awards, two NBA Finals MVP Awards, two Olympic gold medals, an NBA scoring title and the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

    Here is James’ NBA career highlight reel:

    James, the Cavaliers’ all-time leading scorer, is said to be going to Brazil to catch a World Cup game soon, and speculation regarding his decision is plainly speculation.

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