Category — Michael Jordan

Thunder 106 Lakers 90 to take the series 4-1.
Thunder vs. Spurs for Western supremacy doesn’t start until Sunday in San Antonio. But for those of us in L.A., we’ll read and hear about the speculation of who goes and who stays with the Lakers. Always the kings and queens of drama here whether they win it all or not.
But on this night, it was all about the Thunder. Even Metta said as much.
Cheers!

This gem from the Twitter account of Laker fan Gary Collard: “If the Lakers lose tonight and the Clippers win tomorrow, does David Stern lock up Executive of the Year?”

We said it back in December, when the NBA season tipped off. Everyone and their mother picked the Heat, the favorite to win it all, while idiots like us took the Thunder.
The smart money says the Heat, and we get that. But for credibility sakes, we can’t change horses in the middle of the street. Can’t do it.
Our only reservation about the Thunder is Kendrick Perkins (and Russell Westbrook not getting out of hand and shooting them out of a contest) matching up with some of the big men in the Western Conference. Against the Heat, though, it’s even money since they don’t have a significant presence inside either.
So here’s how we see the playoffs playing out. Happy trails.
East
Bulls over 76ers in 6; Heat over Knicks in 5; Pacers over Magic in 5; Hawks over Celtics in 7.
Semis: Bulls over Hawks in 5; Heat over Pacers in 7.
Final: Heat over Bulls in 7.
West
Spurs over Jazz in 5; Thunder over Mavs in 6; Lakers over Nuggets in 7; Grizzlies over Clippers in 6.
Semis: Spurs over Grizzlies in 7; Thunder over Lakers in 5.
Final: Thunder over Spurs in 7.
For all the marbles: Thunder over Heat in 6.

That’s Larry Brown’s take on the situation in Charlotte, where he was fired as coach last season by Michael Jordan. Brown, the new head coach at SMU, used the Dan Patrick Show this morning to take some shots at Charlotte GM Rod Higgins and his staff for the problems of the awful Bobcats, who are headed for 1 of the worst finishes in NBA history.
Dan Patrick
Touchy, touchy: Apparently weary of hearing his boys are a bunch of “yes” men, his Airness responds to Brown’s rip job. Can’t wait for that North Carolina reunion.
Charlotte Observer

A week ago, I listened to an outrageous sports-talk radio host rage about the greed of Dwyane Wade and Ray Allen for barking about playing in the Olympics for free. Worst, the radio host started comparing playing in the Olympics as an honor of serving your country just like fighting in a war. Stupid doesn’t begin to describe the latter. There isn’t ANYTHING that compares to war.
Mark Cuban has vehemently complained about this issue before. He’s right. And if it were up to Cuban, NBA players wouldn’t even be in the games. We find nothing wrong with that either.
Corporate America, the networks, Nike and many others rake in millions for serving their country (cough, cough), but the NBA players are expected to give away their services for free?
ESPN Dallas

Ne-Yo will give an intimate, private performance at Aria Resort & Casino at CityCenter in Las Vegas during the 11th annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational on Friday, March 30. Ne-Yo will perform at the MJCI Celebration, an annual gala for the tournament’s celebrities and VIP invited guests.
“I feel blessed for the opportunity to perform in the city where I grew up,” Ne-Yo said. “Performing in Las Vegas is always amazing, and being able to perform in celebration of Michael [Jordan’s] tournament, which benefits so many charities, is the best feeling.”
Returning to Shadow Creek, MJCI marks only the 2nd time the exclusive golf course will open its doors to the public. Proceeds from the charitable tournament will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, UC San Diego Nevada Cancer Institute, James R. Jordan Foundation, Opportunity Village and Cats Care, the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats’ charity arm. Since its inception in 2001, MJCI has raised more than $6 million for charity. The event runs from March 29 through April 2.
Among the celebrities scheduled to attend: Marcus Allen; Brian Baumgartner; Jerome Bettis; Brandi Chastain; Chris Chelios; Eddie Cibrian; Roger Clemens; Vince Coleman; Julius Erving; Angie Everhart; Joey Fatone; Marshall Faulk; Terry Francona; Wayne Gretzky; Janet Jones-Gretzky; Ken Griffey, Jr.; Penny Hardaway; Brett Hull; Toni Kukoc; Mario Lemieux; Sugar Ray Leonard; Greg Maddux; Win McMurry; Joe Morgan; Paul O’Neill; Maury Povich; Ahmad Rashad; Salli Richardson; LeAnn Rimes; Aaron Rodgers; Stuart Scott; Bruce Smith; Ozzie Smith; John Smoltz; Matthew Stafford; Michael Strahan; Jason Taylor; Alan Thicke; Tico Torres; Brian Urlacher; Michael Wilbon; Winky Wright; and Adrian Young.
Tickets for the golf tournament can be purchased at any MGM Resorts International box office outlet, online at www.arialasvegas.com or www.MJCIgolf.com.

Banks was a legend in sports circles around Chicago, where he was pioneer as the 1st African American sportswriter for the Sun-Times. Banks, who also was a minister, was only 68 when he passed Wednesday from heart disease.
Sun-Times

The Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational will be held March 29 through April 1 at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas.
Hosted by Aria Resort & Casino at CityCenter, the event will attract numerous sports personalities and other celebrities. Last year, Wayne Gretzky, Charles Barkley, Mario Lemieux, Julius Erving, Mark Wahlberg, Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell and Don Cheadle were among the attendees.
Fans who want to attend can purchase daily or weekly general admission tickets, as well as daily or weekly VIP passes. VIP spectators will enjoy a view of the course from an open-air hospitality complex featuring a “VIP Party Deck” overlooking the par-5, 18th hole. Tickets: www.arialasvegas.com or www.MJCIgolf.com.

West 152, East 149.
Kevin Durant’s hot line: 36 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals.

The only other person I know from Crossett, Ark., is Barry Switzer, so Jeremy Evans is indeed in good company. He also captured the slam dunk title tonight at the NBA All-Star weekend in Orlando.
Salt Lake Tribune