The way Dave Rice envisions it, Jerry Tarkanian's old-school influence will be making a comeback at UNLV.
Rice already has promised that the Runnin' Rebels will indeed run on every possession, and playing a fast-paced brand of basketball isn't the only tradition from the Tark the Shark era that he hopes to revive. Rice, who won a national championship playing for Tarkanian, also said the program is considering bringing back the theme music from "Jaws," which used to fire up the Thomas & Mack Arena as the team came onto the court.
Besides the stylistic changes, Rice, 42, returns to Las Vegas carrying with him the memory of a decades-old lesson he learned from Tarkanian that should serve him well as he begins his first year as a head coach.
UNLV's loss to Duke in the 1991 Final Four snapped a 45-game winning streak and ended Rice's playing career, but he joined the coaching staff the next season and watched how Tarkanian responded. Tarkanian, known for his suffocating man-to-man pressure defenses, re-evaluated his roster and decided to make a switch. The Rebels played in a 1-2-2 zone instead and finished the year with a 26-2 record, setting an example for Rice to follow.
"He put his ego aside," said Rice, a graduate assistant on that team in 1992. "It sent a message to me. Don't ever let yourself or your ego get in the way of your team."
Rice has spent his entire career setting up others for success. He was a reserve on the 1990 national championship team, arriving as a junior college transfer and happy to play a complementary role alongside stars Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon and Greg Anthony. To Rice, a Rhodes Scholar candidate, contributing to a championship-caliber program was the main reason he went to UNLV.
"Everyone wants to play more minutes, and everyone wants to start, but it was really important for me to be part of a really successful program," Rice said. "It helps me as a coach. Coach Tark and his staff really valued the job our role players did, whether it was two minutes a game, 12 minutes a game or coming in to take charge or make a 3. Everyone really felt their value.
"You don't win championships without all your guys. You also need the role players. I can point back to my own experience."
Tarkanian was so impressed with Rice that he told the backup guard that coaching was in his future and offered him the graduate assistant position. Rice had never considered coaching before but had so much respect for Tarkanian that he took the job instead of going to law school.
Rice was still unsure enough about the coaching profession that he got his MBA in 1993, but he ultimately came back to UNLV again and again. He coached 10 more years as an assistant under Tim Grgurich, Bill Bayno and Charlie Spoonhour before having to leave after Lon Kruger was hired in 2004 and didn't retain him. "It's always hard to leave your alma mater," Rice said. "I left feeling there was unfinished business. At the time, it was really tough."
As it turned out, leaving UNLV was good for Rice's career, and he kept helping teams win wherever he went. He served as an assistant under Stew Morrill at Utah State for a year before going to BYU, where he was eventually promoted to associate head coach. For Dave Rose, Rice coordinated the team's offense and recruiting efforts during a time when the staff landed Jimmer Fredette from Glens Falls, N.Y., and saw him rise to prominence in the Rice's up-tempo system. The Cougars went to the Sweet 16 this season, with Fredette winning national player of the year honors.
Rice also was asked to run the program while Rose underwent cancer treatments in 2009.
"What it did was it changed all of us," Rice said. "We were still just as competitive. We worked just as hard. But we always talked about waking up every morning for family, for health, for those things we take for granted. We were more patient, maybe."
Kruger, who departed for the Oklahoma job, left the program in excellent shape having taken the Rebels to the NCAA tournament in four of the past five seasons. Tarkanian publicly stated his preference that another former Rebel, Reggie Theus, succeed Kruger. Tarkanian was nevertheless supportive of Rice, who couldn't help but reminisce at the sight of the old coach at his introductory news conference. Twenty years earlier, Tarkanian had identified the coaching potential in Rice.
"Nobody has seen him before as a head coach, so I don't think it would be fair to say how he'll be as UNLV's basketball coach," Tarkanian blogged in the Las Vegas Sun. "I can tell you he's a smart guy and a hard worker. He'll put in the time for that program to be successful."
UNLV, one of the favorites in the Mountain West Conference next season, returns four of its top five scorers, and Rice was especially pleased that not one player has left the program since his arrival. He's familiar with the players from having coached against them while with BYU and has spent recent weeks preparing the Rebels for the offensive transition game that will be installed. Being a Runnin' Rebel under Rice will require physical and mental conditioning.
"It's really a commitment to discipline, running consistently," Rice said. "We want to sprint into that set play. There's a method to it."
So when the Rebels run onto Jerry Tarkanian Court next season, the style in which they play will be a blast from the past. Joining Rice on the bench will be Augmon, who was hired as an assistant coach. The team has expectations of winning as well.
"I believe that we're very capable of having a great year," Rice said.
Showing posts with label Sports News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sports News. Show all posts
Friday, June 17, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Tony Bennett has Virginia ready to climb
The July evaluation period hasn't even started yet and Virginia is already three-fourths of the way done with its class of 2012.
Bennett can't comment on the commitments -- frontcourt players Mike Tobey, Evan Nolte and Justin Anderson. But know this: The Cavaliers are ahead of schedule, and maybe just a point guard short of coming up with what would be a stellar class for third-year coach Tony Bennett.
If Bennett continues to pile up the players he covets -- from a specific pool of skilled players who can adapt to playing his stingy defense -- then the Cavs will fulfill his rebuilding blueprint and return to prominence in the ACC.
UVa athletic director Craig Littlepage told Bennett when he hired him that the rebuild would take three to four years once he put his system in place, and that he should expect to be an upper-division ACC team after that.
"But there is no shortcut," Bennett said. "We're trying to build it like we did at Wisconsin and Washington State. We want to get two or three good classes in a row and right now we've got a potential top 10 class [in 2012]. We don't go the JC route at Virginia. We might have the occasional transfer, but it's going to be players who grow up in this program."
The school's winning tradition under Terry Holland and at times Jeff Jones (there were some quality teams under Pete Gillen that never could advance) can certainly be cultivated again. The University of Virginia is a first-class institution with a passionate alumni base, a state-of-the-art facility, a tremendous locale in fertile recruiting ground and academics that can rival almost any university.
Bennett was able to turn around perennial Pac-10 doormat Washington State. Sticking with a class of players who were committed to rebuilding Wazzu -- at the time no-names like Derrick Low, Kyle Weaver and Robbie Cowgill -- made the Cougars winning at a high level all that much sweeter.
Virginia could do the same.
With No. 1 recruit Austin Rivers arriving at Duke, North Carolina getting Harrison Barnes, John Henson and Tyler Zeller to return to a loaded team, Florida State gaining some momentum with a Sweet 16 run and Jim Larranaga getting plenty of pub as the new coach at Miami, Virginia's potential as a real sleeper has gotten lost in the mix.
"We've got experience coming back and we will be a better team," Bennett said.
The Cavs got the expected good news that Mike Scott would be eligible for a fifth season after he was shut down on Dec. 22 due to a left ankle injury. Scott had been tearing up opponents early on, scoring 27 points and grabbing 15 boards against Oklahoma in Maui, putting up 17 points and 12 boards in a win at Minnesota and then 21 and 13 in a win at rival Virginia Tech.
Scott was unquestionably one of the best big men in the ACC prior to his injury and he'll enter this season as one of the toughest-to-stop posts in the conference.
"I was in that groove, playing with a lot of confidence," Scott said of his pre-injury play. "[But] the team learned how to play without me. They started to see a lot of success."
Virginia still finished 7-9 in the ACC (16-15 overall) without its most valuable player. Freshmen guards Joe Harris and K.T. Harrell had solid first seasons in Charlottesville, both shooting better than 41 percent on 3s and ensuring the Cavs have a stable backcourt. A healthy Scott gives the team the necessary balance to compete on a higher level.
Scott was recruited by Dave Leitao and his staff, playing two years for UVa's former coach. After taking awhile to grasp the nuances of Bennett's system, Scott was really starting to take off, averaging a double-double (16 and 10) before the injury. Since he never redshirted and didn't play more than 30 percent of the team's games last season, Scott was granted an additional year of eligibility. And he plans on taking full advantage of it.
"I'm motivated to go even harder," he said. "I'm spending the summer here, getting in better shape and working out."
Scott and Sammy Zeglinski will be the leaders of this squad and three freshmen will join in the fall: Malcolm Brogdon, Paul Jesperson and Darion Atkins. How much they contribute will depend on whether or not they grasp Bennett's defensive demands.
"It was hard playing without Mike last season but our freshmen got a lot of experience," Bennett said. "These guys are talented and there will be a lot of competition for playing time. We've got [high school] players of the year from Alabama, Washington, Wisconsin and Georgia."
As far as the schedule goes, the Cavs will hit the road for games at LSU and Oregon, host Michigan in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, will potentially get a shot against Marquette in the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas and have signed on for a home-and-home with CAA favorite George Mason.
Carolina is the consensus top pick in the conference, with Duke not far behind and Florida State the likely third pick. But after that, the rest of the ACC is wide open.
"There's not a lot of drop-off," Bennett said. "The expectation is that Carolina and Duke are on top, but there isn't a lot of separation in the ACC [in the middle of the pack]."
To be an elite program, the Cavs will need to ensure they have some pros on the roster. The recent momentum in recruiting is a start.
"I tell the guys that you've got to be good enough to get to the NBA and I'll prepare you on how to last once you're there," Bennett said. "But it's about how much you develop. We know the formula on building a program."
The Bennett family has done exactly that at Wisconsin and Washington State. Will Year 3 in Charlottesville be the turning point that brings the school back to the NCAA tournament?
"We've got all the right ingredients if everyone stays healthy to be one of the best teams in the league," Scott said. "Coach has put the defensive mindset into the program. His father [Dick] taught him and he's teaching us."
Bennett can't comment on the commitments -- frontcourt players Mike Tobey, Evan Nolte and Justin Anderson. But know this: The Cavaliers are ahead of schedule, and maybe just a point guard short of coming up with what would be a stellar class for third-year coach Tony Bennett.
If Bennett continues to pile up the players he covets -- from a specific pool of skilled players who can adapt to playing his stingy defense -- then the Cavs will fulfill his rebuilding blueprint and return to prominence in the ACC.
UVa athletic director Craig Littlepage told Bennett when he hired him that the rebuild would take three to four years once he put his system in place, and that he should expect to be an upper-division ACC team after that.
"But there is no shortcut," Bennett said. "We're trying to build it like we did at Wisconsin and Washington State. We want to get two or three good classes in a row and right now we've got a potential top 10 class [in 2012]. We don't go the JC route at Virginia. We might have the occasional transfer, but it's going to be players who grow up in this program."
The school's winning tradition under Terry Holland and at times Jeff Jones (there were some quality teams under Pete Gillen that never could advance) can certainly be cultivated again. The University of Virginia is a first-class institution with a passionate alumni base, a state-of-the-art facility, a tremendous locale in fertile recruiting ground and academics that can rival almost any university.
Bennett was able to turn around perennial Pac-10 doormat Washington State. Sticking with a class of players who were committed to rebuilding Wazzu -- at the time no-names like Derrick Low, Kyle Weaver and Robbie Cowgill -- made the Cougars winning at a high level all that much sweeter.
Virginia could do the same.
With No. 1 recruit Austin Rivers arriving at Duke, North Carolina getting Harrison Barnes, John Henson and Tyler Zeller to return to a loaded team, Florida State gaining some momentum with a Sweet 16 run and Jim Larranaga getting plenty of pub as the new coach at Miami, Virginia's potential as a real sleeper has gotten lost in the mix.
"We've got experience coming back and we will be a better team," Bennett said.
The Cavs got the expected good news that Mike Scott would be eligible for a fifth season after he was shut down on Dec. 22 due to a left ankle injury. Scott had been tearing up opponents early on, scoring 27 points and grabbing 15 boards against Oklahoma in Maui, putting up 17 points and 12 boards in a win at Minnesota and then 21 and 13 in a win at rival Virginia Tech.
Scott was unquestionably one of the best big men in the ACC prior to his injury and he'll enter this season as one of the toughest-to-stop posts in the conference.
"I was in that groove, playing with a lot of confidence," Scott said of his pre-injury play. "[But] the team learned how to play without me. They started to see a lot of success."
Virginia still finished 7-9 in the ACC (16-15 overall) without its most valuable player. Freshmen guards Joe Harris and K.T. Harrell had solid first seasons in Charlottesville, both shooting better than 41 percent on 3s and ensuring the Cavs have a stable backcourt. A healthy Scott gives the team the necessary balance to compete on a higher level.
Scott was recruited by Dave Leitao and his staff, playing two years for UVa's former coach. After taking awhile to grasp the nuances of Bennett's system, Scott was really starting to take off, averaging a double-double (16 and 10) before the injury. Since he never redshirted and didn't play more than 30 percent of the team's games last season, Scott was granted an additional year of eligibility. And he plans on taking full advantage of it.
"I'm motivated to go even harder," he said. "I'm spending the summer here, getting in better shape and working out."
Scott and Sammy Zeglinski will be the leaders of this squad and three freshmen will join in the fall: Malcolm Brogdon, Paul Jesperson and Darion Atkins. How much they contribute will depend on whether or not they grasp Bennett's defensive demands.
"It was hard playing without Mike last season but our freshmen got a lot of experience," Bennett said. "These guys are talented and there will be a lot of competition for playing time. We've got [high school] players of the year from Alabama, Washington, Wisconsin and Georgia."
As far as the schedule goes, the Cavs will hit the road for games at LSU and Oregon, host Michigan in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, will potentially get a shot against Marquette in the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas and have signed on for a home-and-home with CAA favorite George Mason.
Carolina is the consensus top pick in the conference, with Duke not far behind and Florida State the likely third pick. But after that, the rest of the ACC is wide open.
"There's not a lot of drop-off," Bennett said. "The expectation is that Carolina and Duke are on top, but there isn't a lot of separation in the ACC [in the middle of the pack]."
To be an elite program, the Cavs will need to ensure they have some pros on the roster. The recent momentum in recruiting is a start.
"I tell the guys that you've got to be good enough to get to the NBA and I'll prepare you on how to last once you're there," Bennett said. "But it's about how much you develop. We know the formula on building a program."
The Bennett family has done exactly that at Wisconsin and Washington State. Will Year 3 in Charlottesville be the turning point that brings the school back to the NCAA tournament?
"We've got all the right ingredients if everyone stays healthy to be one of the best teams in the league," Scott said. "Coach has put the defensive mindset into the program. His father [Dick] taught him and he's teaching us."
Ricky Rubio inked with Wolves
Ricky Rubio has already signed a contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the holdup keeping him from leaving Barcelona is related to his buyout agreement, multiple sources told ESPN.com.
"This is just a bump in the road for (the Timberwolves)," said one source.
Rubio's Spanish club won the ACB championship Tuesday, after which Rubio said:
"We are talking with Barcelona and we will soon see."
That fueled speculation Rubio might not come to Minnesota for the 2011-12 season. But two sources told ESPN.com Rubio has already signed with the Timberwolves. He still must receive a letter of clearance from FIBA, the sport's international governing body.
Earlier this month, The Associated Press and The (Minneapolis) Star Tribune reported that Rubio, the No. 5 pick in the 2009 NBA draft, had reached an agreement to join the Timberwolves after two seasons with Barcelona.
The Timberwolves did not confirm those reports, which followed years of speculation that Rubio, 20, did not want to leave Europe or pay the multimillion-dollar buyout of his Barcelona contract out of his own pocket.
Rubio said he was "very happy" after Barcelona won the Spanish league title, according to the Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo. "This title is the most widely appreciated. At last I have it and we must all be proud of it."
On Wednesday, a source close to Rubio told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher that he is unaware of any change to Rubio's plans to play in the NBA next season.
Timberwolves president David Kahn called Rubio "a virtuoso and somebody special" after drafting him in 2009. Kahn and agent Dan Fegan had an agreement to bring Rubio to the NBA that summer, but Rubio withdrew from that deal at the last minute after deciding he did not want to pay a $6 million-plus buyout.
With the passing of two seasons, Rubio's buyout from Barcelona has decreased to $1.4 million. The Timberwolves can contribute up to $500,000 of that amount under current league rules.
Rubio averaged 6.5 points a game on 39 percent shooting this season at Barcelona, where he dealt with a foot injury and fell out of the starting lineup. The Timberwolves believe Rubio will flourish in the NBA, where guards have more freedom to create than they do in the stricter offensive schemes common in the European game.
"He's gotten bigger and he plays outstanding defense, and because he's a pass-first guard he's going to be liked by everybody who plays with him," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said last year. Krzyzewski coached Team USA against Rubio and Spain in the Beijing Olympics.
Rubio dominated the junior circuit in Europe and turned professional at 14. His flashy style and baby face made him an instant sensation in Europe.
Although Rubio's stock dropped this season, the woeful Timberwolves -- winners of a combined 32 games the past two seasons -- remain in need of a point guard to feed the ball to Kevin Love and Michael Beasley.
"This is just a bump in the road for (the Timberwolves)," said one source.
Rubio's Spanish club won the ACB championship Tuesday, after which Rubio said:
"We are talking with Barcelona and we will soon see."
That fueled speculation Rubio might not come to Minnesota for the 2011-12 season. But two sources told ESPN.com Rubio has already signed with the Timberwolves. He still must receive a letter of clearance from FIBA, the sport's international governing body.
Earlier this month, The Associated Press and The (Minneapolis) Star Tribune reported that Rubio, the No. 5 pick in the 2009 NBA draft, had reached an agreement to join the Timberwolves after two seasons with Barcelona.
The Timberwolves did not confirm those reports, which followed years of speculation that Rubio, 20, did not want to leave Europe or pay the multimillion-dollar buyout of his Barcelona contract out of his own pocket.
Rubio said he was "very happy" after Barcelona won the Spanish league title, according to the Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo. "This title is the most widely appreciated. At last I have it and we must all be proud of it."
On Wednesday, a source close to Rubio told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher that he is unaware of any change to Rubio's plans to play in the NBA next season.
Timberwolves president David Kahn called Rubio "a virtuoso and somebody special" after drafting him in 2009. Kahn and agent Dan Fegan had an agreement to bring Rubio to the NBA that summer, but Rubio withdrew from that deal at the last minute after deciding he did not want to pay a $6 million-plus buyout.
With the passing of two seasons, Rubio's buyout from Barcelona has decreased to $1.4 million. The Timberwolves can contribute up to $500,000 of that amount under current league rules.
Rubio averaged 6.5 points a game on 39 percent shooting this season at Barcelona, where he dealt with a foot injury and fell out of the starting lineup. The Timberwolves believe Rubio will flourish in the NBA, where guards have more freedom to create than they do in the stricter offensive schemes common in the European game.
"He's gotten bigger and he plays outstanding defense, and because he's a pass-first guard he's going to be liked by everybody who plays with him," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said last year. Krzyzewski coached Team USA against Rubio and Spain in the Beijing Olympics.
Rubio dominated the junior circuit in Europe and turned professional at 14. His flashy style and baby face made him an instant sensation in Europe.
Although Rubio's stock dropped this season, the woeful Timberwolves -- winners of a combined 32 games the past two seasons -- remain in need of a point guard to feed the ball to Kevin Love and Michael Beasley.
UNC parking tickets exceeded $13,000
North Carolina has released documents showing a group of Tar Heels football players accumulated more than $13,000 in parking citations over a 3½-year period.
The school released the documents Thursday, a day after the state Court of Appeals denied the school's request to delay the release of those records pending an appeal. A Wake County Superior Court judge had ruled in April that the school withheld documents it should have provided to requesting media outlets covering the NCAA investigation into the football program.
The university said in a statement that not all of the 11 players requested by the media had received tickets. The university says student-athletes "do not receive special treatment" and "are expected" to pay parking fines like any student, though it didn't say whether fines were paid.
The school says it found that each car was registered to the student, a parent or grandparent, or a fellow student.
The school also released hundreds of pages of phone records of coach John Blake, athletic director Dick Baddour and former assistant coach John Blake, who resigned in September. Blake's ties to late NFL agent Gary Wichard became a focus of the NCAA probe into improper benefits and academic misconduct.
The NCAA has informed the school that it plans to complete its investigation this month.
In all, 14 players missed at least one game this season due to the probe with seven being ruled out for the entire year. An eighth was cleared to return at midseason but decided to redshirt.
The school released the documents Thursday, a day after the state Court of Appeals denied the school's request to delay the release of those records pending an appeal. A Wake County Superior Court judge had ruled in April that the school withheld documents it should have provided to requesting media outlets covering the NCAA investigation into the football program.
The university said in a statement that not all of the 11 players requested by the media had received tickets. The university says student-athletes "do not receive special treatment" and "are expected" to pay parking fines like any student, though it didn't say whether fines were paid.
The school says it found that each car was registered to the student, a parent or grandparent, or a fellow student.
The school also released hundreds of pages of phone records of coach John Blake, athletic director Dick Baddour and former assistant coach John Blake, who resigned in September. Blake's ties to late NFL agent Gary Wichard became a focus of the NCAA probe into improper benefits and academic misconduct.
The NCAA has informed the school that it plans to complete its investigation this month.
In all, 14 players missed at least one game this season due to the probe with seven being ruled out for the entire year. An eighth was cleared to return at midseason but decided to redshirt.
Gator great Danny Wuerffel hospitalized with paralyzing disorder
Danny Wuerffel, former Heisman Trophy winner and record-breaking star of Florida's 1996 national championship team, has been diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder, Guillain-Barré syndrome, according to the Gainesville Sun and several other Florida sources. Wuerffel, who currently works full-time with New Orleans-based Desire Street Ministries, was visiting a fellow minister in Alabama when he fell ill and was hospitalized, as he wrote in an email to associates on Tuesday:
A prayer request on my end. I caught a stomach bug last week on our Desire Ministry retreat in Colorado and my body got screwed up fighting the virus. I didn't recover well. I started losing feeling in my legs, and then while in Montgomery this week visiting our ministry partner, Bryan Kelly, I started losing feeling and strength in my hands and arms. After a series of crazy tests all day Friday (it was actually a blessing to have been in Montgomery), I was diagnosed with Guillian Barre Syndrome a pretty dangerous type of temporary but progressive paralysis. It was my immune system overreaction to the stomach bug that started attacking my nervous system. Fortunately, it was diagnosed early and I'm on a week-long treatment that should make everything be ok.Crazy stuff. I'm doing well and very thankful to be getting good help. I'll be in Montgomery at least until next Tuesday. Please pray for a full and hopefully quick recovery.
I'm not that kind of doctor, but the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke describes Guillain-Barré syndrome as "a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system," resulting in weakness, tingling and varying degrees of paralysis. In severe cases, a patient may be totally paralyzed and require a respirator to breathe; physicians may also opt to perform a spinal tap. The syndrome can be "a devastating disorder," and sometimes life-threatening if not treated.
As Wuerffel's email indicates, however, treatment can dramatically lessen symptoms and accelerate recovery, though there is no known cure. (The NIND again: "No one yet knows why Guillain-Barré strikes some people and not others or what sets the disease in motion.") Recovery time may span from a few weeks to a few years; about 30 percent of GBS patients still have residual weakness after three years, and a small number (about 3 percent) may experience a relapse many years later.
In Wuerffel's case, it sounds like he's optimistic about landing on the better end of that spectrum; one spokesman for his ministry said he expects a full recovery, and another described him as "cutting up and joking," although still "pretty weak." From us, Godspeed on a fast and full revival for a great quarterback and humanitarian.
Super Bowl hero’s shocking same-sex marriage comments
People play in the NFL together despite their immense differences — it happens all the time. So it is for two key members of the 2007 New York Giants team that upended the New England Patriots' run to a perfect season with a 17-14 victory over the heavily favored Pats in Super Bowl XLII.
Receiver David Tyree(notes), who made a key catch in the air against New England safety Rodney Harrison(notes), recently made some controversial comments on the subject of same-sex marriage. Tyree, who made one Pro Bowl in 2005 primarily for his special teams work, caught a total of 54 passes for 650 yards and four touchdowns in his six-year NFL career, but he's still an interesting voice because of that one heroic Super Bowl catch.
And with that voice, Tyree managed to put his foot in his mouth in the minds of many people, saying that two people of the same gender could not make a commitment to each other that involved the raising of children.
Asked in a recent interview with an anti-gay group called the National Organization for Marriage about a same-sex marriage bill that recently passed the New York state assembly and awaits approval from state senators, Tyree said that "this will be the beginning of our country's sliding towards, you know, it's a strong word, but 'anarchy.' The moment we have it, if you trace back even to other cultures, other countries, that will be the moment where our society and itself, loses its grip with what's right. Marriage is one of those things that is the backbone of society.
"How can marriage be marriage for thousands of years and now all the sudden because a minority, an influential minority, has a push or agenda ... and totally reshapes something that was not founded in our country," Tyree continued. "You can't teach something that you don't have, so two men will never be able to show a woman how to be a woman."
Defensive end Michael Strahan, who made Super Bowl XLII his last game after 15 seasons in what should be a Hall of Fame career, has taken his post-football life to several different media outlets and advocacy campaigns, including a recent one in support of same-sex marriage. Strahan recently shot a video for the New Yorkers for Marriage Equality campaign with his fiancée, Nicole Murphy.
Some former players may have a natural gap of understanding when it comes to things outside of the traditional "macho" viewpoint, but Strahan has learned a few things in his time as a football expert with FOX Sports.
"Heck, I work for FOX, man," Strahan told the Times. "They've got 'Glee' on TV."
"All the publicity that it's gotten, between the NBA and everything else, definitely has opened up the topic again," Strahan recently told the New York Times. "The topic has always been there. It seems like this is a great time to talk about it, a great time to open up dialogue and give people more of an understanding about all the issues that are going on around it.
"I have plenty of gay friends, and I don't judge them. I want them to have all the same rights I have, and all the opportunities I have to be in a relationship, a great relationship, with the person that they're in love with."
Receiver David Tyree(notes), who made a key catch in the air against New England safety Rodney Harrison(notes), recently made some controversial comments on the subject of same-sex marriage. Tyree, who made one Pro Bowl in 2005 primarily for his special teams work, caught a total of 54 passes for 650 yards and four touchdowns in his six-year NFL career, but he's still an interesting voice because of that one heroic Super Bowl catch.
And with that voice, Tyree managed to put his foot in his mouth in the minds of many people, saying that two people of the same gender could not make a commitment to each other that involved the raising of children.
Asked in a recent interview with an anti-gay group called the National Organization for Marriage about a same-sex marriage bill that recently passed the New York state assembly and awaits approval from state senators, Tyree said that "this will be the beginning of our country's sliding towards, you know, it's a strong word, but 'anarchy.' The moment we have it, if you trace back even to other cultures, other countries, that will be the moment where our society and itself, loses its grip with what's right. Marriage is one of those things that is the backbone of society.
"How can marriage be marriage for thousands of years and now all the sudden because a minority, an influential minority, has a push or agenda ... and totally reshapes something that was not founded in our country," Tyree continued. "You can't teach something that you don't have, so two men will never be able to show a woman how to be a woman."
Defensive end Michael Strahan, who made Super Bowl XLII his last game after 15 seasons in what should be a Hall of Fame career, has taken his post-football life to several different media outlets and advocacy campaigns, including a recent one in support of same-sex marriage. Strahan recently shot a video for the New Yorkers for Marriage Equality campaign with his fiancée, Nicole Murphy.
Some former players may have a natural gap of understanding when it comes to things outside of the traditional "macho" viewpoint, but Strahan has learned a few things in his time as a football expert with FOX Sports.
"Heck, I work for FOX, man," Strahan told the Times. "They've got 'Glee' on TV."
"All the publicity that it's gotten, between the NBA and everything else, definitely has opened up the topic again," Strahan recently told the New York Times. "The topic has always been there. It seems like this is a great time to talk about it, a great time to open up dialogue and give people more of an understanding about all the issues that are going on around it.
"I have plenty of gay friends, and I don't judge them. I want them to have all the same rights I have, and all the opportunities I have to be in a relationship, a great relationship, with the person that they're in love with."
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Home plate appeal costs celebrating team a state title
There's a reason they always stress to touch home plate to all Little Leaguers coming around to score: If you don't, you'll be called out.
Incredibly, that exact scenario unfolded in the most important Class LL high school baseball game of the season in Connecticut. Making it even more dramatic, the appeal happened in extra innings, when the player in question was rushing home to celebrate what he thought was a state championship.
There's a reason they always stress to touch home plate to all Little Leaguers coming around to score: If you don't, you'll be called out.
Incredibly, that exact scenario unfolded in the most important Class LL high school baseball game of the season in Connecticut. Making it even more dramatic, the appeal happened in extra innings, when the player in question was rushing home to celebrate what he thought was a state championship.
According to the Newington (Conn.) Town Crier, Southington (Conn.) High star Matt Sprulli appeared to score from first in the bottom of the eighth inning of the Connecticut Class LL state baseball championship against Newington (Conn.) High. Yet Sprulli never touched home plate with the winning run before celebrating in a massive dog pile at second base with the rest of his teammates.
Wise to the error, Newington catcher Tyler Barrett held the ball, stood on home plate and looked over to home plate umpire David Bindas, who promptly called Sprulli out, ending the eighth inning and giving Newington a new lease of playoff life.
"I hate to say it but it was kind of bittersweet," Barrett told the Town Crier. "I was happy to get the out because it gave us another chance to win the ballgame. It's about time we handed it to them. They have a great program but we were due."
Equally amazingly, no one from the Southington coaching staff was in a position to argue the call, as head coach Charles Lembo admitted he hadn't seen the play at the plate. Rather, he was focusing on the batter who had driven in what was sure to be the title-winning run.
"To be honest I saw him come around third base and I was waving him home," Lembo said. "And I made sure he touched third, and then I was looking at Sal at second to make sure he didn't keep coming because I didn't want him out before the run scored. So I never saw what happened at the plate."
Lembo said it was the Newington crowd that made him realize the run didn't count.
"We were kind of celebrating and we thought we had it won and all of a sudden I heard the crowd react and I went 'woah wait a minute that's not our side,'" he said. "And Dave [Bindas] told me that he missed home."
That same Newington crowd had more to celebrate two innings later, when the Indians scored the go-ahead run, then shut down the Blue Knights to secure what may go down as one of the most disputed state titles in Connecticut history.
If nothing else, the finish served to reinforce an old Little League axiom that is still just as important at any other level of baseball.
Why these players chose the sport’s least popular jersey number
Providence guard Mike Murray's introduction to life as a college basketball walk-on began long before his coaches first demoted him to the scout team in practice or relegated him to the end of the bench during games.
Whereas scholarship players at Providence select their own jersey number, Murray didn't receive the same perk. Instead, he discovered he had been assigned a number last fall when he opened a box of practice gear and to his dismay pulled out a No. 53jersey.
"I got shafted," Murray said with a chuckle. "I was excited just to get a jersey, but it's definitely not the number I'd have chosen. The only 53s I could think of were linebackers in the NFL."
Few famous No. 53s popped into Murray's mind because the number isn't exactly steeped in basketball tradition. Only seven of 345 Division I basketball programs had a player who donned No. 53 last season, making it by far the sport's least popular jersey number.
The small fraternity of players who did wear No. 53 last season each have their own rationale for choosing it.
New Mexico center Alex Kirk has worn No. 53 since high school to honor a player from his hometown of Los Alamos he idolized growing up. Ohio center Ethan Jacobs took No. 53 in college because he relished the chance to leave a mark on a number no Bobcats player in school history had ever worn before. And Texas forward Clint Chapman wore No. 53 in high school because it was the only jersey large enough to fit him, but he soon grew fond of having a number not associated with any of today's high-profile stars.
"Everybody seems to pick a number that's connected to some famous player somewhere," Chapman said. "With 53, there haven't been the Jordans, Kobes or LeBrons. So I think it's appealing to know you can have an impact on a number that hasn't already been claimed."
It's no surprise No. 53 isn't prevalent in college basketball since players have traditionally avoided numbers in the 50s for generations.
High school and middle school teams that use the same uniforms each year typically offer the highest-numbered ones in the biggest sizes, so the largest kids who require jumbo jerseys often have no choice but to take a number in the 50s. Players say that phenomenon has stigmatized those numbers at every level of basketball, contributing to the fact that only three pros have ever worn a jersey in the 50s and had it retired by an NBA team.
College players seeking a more desirable number can only choose from a maximum of 36 potential options since the NCAA forbids them from selecting numbers containing a digit higher than five. Athletes typically select their jersey numbers for many reasons, from honoring a great player from a previous generation, to symbolizing a meaningful event in their life, to tapping into a number they believe has brought them good luck.
"Most elite performers have habits, routines and rituals that help them feel most comfortable and able to perform to their peak ability," said Dr. Charlie Brown, an AASP-certified sports psychologist based in Charlotte, N.C. "For a lot of the athletes that includes their jersey number. It has to do with a familiarity, a comfort and sometimes just a little bit of superstition."
One player whose college career counters that theory is ex-Atlanta Hawks center Jon Koncak, who wore a number he loathed in the early 1980s at Southern Methodist yet established himself as one of the nation's premier big men anyway.
The only jerseys big enough to fit Koncak in middle school and high school were No. 55 and No. 53, but the 7-footer yearned to ditch those once he got to college in favor of the No. 32 that belonged to his childhood hero Bill Walton. Instead, he had to wait until he reached the NBA to switch numbers because then-SMU coach Dave Bliss came to Koncak's high school in Kansas City the day he signed his letter of intent and presented him with a No. 53 Mustangs jersey with his last name on it.
"He didn't know I didn't want to wear 53," Koncak said. "I was so bummed, but I just figured I was in a photograph holding the jersey, so I had to stick with 53. When I went to the pros, I switched from 53 to 32 immediately."
Even one of basketball's most iconic No. 53s fittingly chose the number almost by accident.
Artis Gilmore, the 1972 ABA MVP and a six-time NBA All-Star, wore No. 32 his senior year of high school and No. 54 at Gardner Webb Junior College. Neither of those were available when he enrolled at Jacksonville University in 1969, so Gilmore settled for 53, a number he quickly grew fond of after taking the Dolphins to the national title game in 1970 and leading the nation in rebounding both seasons.
"I've been attached to it ever since," Gilmore said. "It has become me, a part of me just like my name. Artis Gilmore, No. 53. You become that number and it becomes you."
Former Philadelphia 76ers star Darryl Dawkins is one of the few noteworthy players to wear No. 53 since Gilmore, a fact that diminishes the appeal of the number to many of today's players but increases it for those who value blazing their own trail.
Recent Duke grad Casey Peters selected No. 53 before his junior year in 2009 because an uncommon number was symbolic of his atypical journey from student manager his first two seasons to walk-on guard for his final two. His father later pointed out it was a fitting choice since Peters' younger brother wears No. 13 at Emory College in Atlanta and his younger sister is No. 33 for the Duke women's team.
"I definitely think it fits me," Peters said. "One of the main reasons why I chose to wear it is because it's unique. My story is something that nobody else has ever done. My whole life I've kind of done my own thing, so the fact that it's unique is cool."
Teenage daughter of Robert Horry dies after lifelong illness
The teenage daughter of Robert Horry died on Tuesday after a lifelong battle with a rare genetic disorder.
Ashlyn Horry, 17, suffered from 1p36 deletion syndrome, an affliction that develops when part of the first chromosome is missing. Little was known about the condition before Ashlyn was diagnosed. Up until a few years ago, it didn't have an official name.
"My little girl was the light of my life and my family's," Horry told the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday. "It's been tough, but we were blessed to have her for the time we did."
Horry won seven NBA championships during his career with the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs. He earned the nickname "Big Shot Rob" due to his clutch shooting late in playoff games.
His daughter lived 17 years with her disorder, enduring multiple surgeries and several other close calls. A 2003 L.A. Times article detailed how she spent the first six months of her life in the hospital, had a tracheotomy for three years, took in most food through a tube and slept with an IV near her bed.
In that piece, Horry said that he sometimes couldn't help but feel bad for his daughter, like when her cousins would come over and chase butterflies while she sat and watched, unable to join in play. His wife expressed less regret.
"She's happy all the time," she said. "She doesn't know any different. That's great, and it's a peace for me. This is all she knows. She's happy, and I want to keep it that way."
Ashlyn Horry, 17, suffered from 1p36 deletion syndrome, an affliction that develops when part of the first chromosome is missing. Little was known about the condition before Ashlyn was diagnosed. Up until a few years ago, it didn't have an official name.
"My little girl was the light of my life and my family's," Horry told the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday. "It's been tough, but we were blessed to have her for the time we did."
Horry won seven NBA championships during his career with the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs. He earned the nickname "Big Shot Rob" due to his clutch shooting late in playoff games.
His daughter lived 17 years with her disorder, enduring multiple surgeries and several other close calls. A 2003 L.A. Times article detailed how she spent the first six months of her life in the hospital, had a tracheotomy for three years, took in most food through a tube and slept with an IV near her bed.
In that piece, Horry said that he sometimes couldn't help but feel bad for his daughter, like when her cousins would come over and chase butterflies while she sat and watched, unable to join in play. His wife expressed less regret.
"She's happy all the time," she said. "She doesn't know any different. That's great, and it's a peace for me. This is all she knows. She's happy, and I want to keep it that way."
Monday, June 13, 2011
Texas drops ball in 30-23 loss to Louisiana
Four second-half fumbles cost Texas in a 30-23 loss to Louisiana in the ninth annual Bayou Bowl played Saturday at Stallworth Stadium.
It was a tough setback for the host team, which had won the last three contests. Louisiana picked up its fourth win of the series against five losses.
Texas dominated the first half and went into intermission with a 13-7 lead.
The last two quarters saw Texas mishandle two snaps from center and lose two fumbles.
Stern defense by Texas kept the game close. It took one final miscue to send Louisiana home with the victory.
Trailing 23-16 with just over two minutes left in the game, Texas gained a first down at its own 44.
Quarterback Trey Anderson kept the ball and made it to midfield before being stripped by Louisiana defender Ronnie Wheeler, who sprinted to the opposite end zone to put his team up by 14 points with 1:55 remaining.
Too little, too late
Texas roared back with a quick scoring drive but was unable to convert the ensuing onside kick with 54 seconds remaining.
“We turned the ball over, and they took advantage of it,” Texas coach Richard Carson said. “I think the difference was that we almost made a few plays.
“Hats off to Louisiana. ... I thought both sides did a great job.”
The game was almost even offensively, with Texas and Louisiana both gaining 225 yards on the ground.
A&M Consolidated graduate Chris Nutall, who will play for Texas State this fall, led the Texas offense with 112 yards on 16 carries.
Louisiana had the advantage of scoring twice on defense, using the long fumble return by Wheeler and a 19-yard score off a missed snap exchange from Gaven Weber in the third quarter.
Louisiana had other chances to increase its margin but was stopped four times inside the Texas 30.
Among the leaders of the Texas defense were linebacker Adrian Middleton, lineman Stuart Mouchantoe and defensive back Brison Burris.
“It’s not as much (about) scheme here,” Carson said. “It’s effort, heart and stick ’em. We had some guys who went after it.
“These kids were the (best) players at their school, and they had pride.”
Middleton rules middle
The Texas linebackers and interior linemen were particularly tough, forcing Louisiana to the outside on runs and passes.
Louisiana wanted little part of the middle, where future Prairie View A&M Panther Middleton was stationed.
“We did our best,” Middleton said. “We had some miscues on offense, but I think did well overall.
“It felt great to be among all the talent and athleticism down here between Texas and Louisiana. It was an honor to play in this game, so I tried my best tonight.”
It was a tough setback for the host team, which had won the last three contests. Louisiana picked up its fourth win of the series against five losses.
Texas dominated the first half and went into intermission with a 13-7 lead.
The last two quarters saw Texas mishandle two snaps from center and lose two fumbles.
Stern defense by Texas kept the game close. It took one final miscue to send Louisiana home with the victory.
Trailing 23-16 with just over two minutes left in the game, Texas gained a first down at its own 44.
Quarterback Trey Anderson kept the ball and made it to midfield before being stripped by Louisiana defender Ronnie Wheeler, who sprinted to the opposite end zone to put his team up by 14 points with 1:55 remaining.
Too little, too late
Texas roared back with a quick scoring drive but was unable to convert the ensuing onside kick with 54 seconds remaining.
“We turned the ball over, and they took advantage of it,” Texas coach Richard Carson said. “I think the difference was that we almost made a few plays.
“Hats off to Louisiana. ... I thought both sides did a great job.”
The game was almost even offensively, with Texas and Louisiana both gaining 225 yards on the ground.
A&M Consolidated graduate Chris Nutall, who will play for Texas State this fall, led the Texas offense with 112 yards on 16 carries.
Louisiana had the advantage of scoring twice on defense, using the long fumble return by Wheeler and a 19-yard score off a missed snap exchange from Gaven Weber in the third quarter.
Louisiana had other chances to increase its margin but was stopped four times inside the Texas 30.
Among the leaders of the Texas defense were linebacker Adrian Middleton, lineman Stuart Mouchantoe and defensive back Brison Burris.
“It’s not as much (about) scheme here,” Carson said. “It’s effort, heart and stick ’em. We had some guys who went after it.
“These kids were the (best) players at their school, and they had pride.”
Middleton rules middle
The Texas linebackers and interior linemen were particularly tough, forcing Louisiana to the outside on runs and passes.
Louisiana wanted little part of the middle, where future Prairie View A&M Panther Middleton was stationed.
“We did our best,” Middleton said. “We had some miscues on offense, but I think did well overall.
“It felt great to be among all the talent and athleticism down here between Texas and Louisiana. It was an honor to play in this game, so I tried my best tonight.”
Rob Bolden enrolls for summer session
Penn State quarterback Rob Bolden is back on campus and enrolled for the school's upcoming summer academic session, which begins June 29.
Bolden has been non-committal about his future at Penn State, telling the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette earlier this month that he's undecided about whether he'll return for his sophomore season.
A team spokesman told ESPN.com on Monday that there's "no indication (Bolden) won't be here in (the) fall."
Bolden started the first seven games for Penn State last season, becoming the first Nittany Lions freshman quarterback to start the opener in 100 years. He suffered a concussion Oct. 23 at Minnesota and teammate Matt McGloin started five of the final six games.
Bolden tried to leave Penn State after the Outback Bowl, but coach Joe Paterno declined to grant his release. The quarterback remained in State College and competed with McGloin throughout spring practice. Penn State didn't name a starter after the spring.
Bolden completed 112 of 193 passes for 1,360 yards with five touchdown passes and seven interceptions last season.
Bolden has been non-committal about his future at Penn State, telling the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette earlier this month that he's undecided about whether he'll return for his sophomore season.
A team spokesman told ESPN.com on Monday that there's "no indication (Bolden) won't be here in (the) fall."
Bolden started the first seven games for Penn State last season, becoming the first Nittany Lions freshman quarterback to start the opener in 100 years. He suffered a concussion Oct. 23 at Minnesota and teammate Matt McGloin started five of the final six games.
Bolden tried to leave Penn State after the Outback Bowl, but coach Joe Paterno declined to grant his release. The quarterback remained in State College and competed with McGloin throughout spring practice. Penn State didn't name a starter after the spring.
Bolden completed 112 of 193 passes for 1,360 yards with five touchdown passes and seven interceptions last season.
Dos Santos’ vicious attack locks up title shot and leaves Carwin’s nose broken
There's no further debate needed about who gets the first shot at UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez. Junior dos Santos picked apart Shane Carwin, broke his nose and left the behemoth looking like he was hit by a truck. The Brazilian rolled to a unanimous decision victory, 30-26, 30-27, 30-27, in the main event at UFC 131 in Vancouver.
Dos Santos gets a shot at Velasquez., who's been sidelined since last October recovering from shoulder surgery. The champ has talked about returning in the fall with an eye on the UFC event scheduled for Houston in October.
Saturday night belonged to dos Santos though as the Brazilian handled Carwin at nearly every turn.
"My quickness and agility were the differences tonight. I had a longer reach and heavy hands. Shane was a great opponent, but tonight I proved that I'm ready for the title shot," dos Santos said.
There's no further debate needed about who gets the first shot at UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez. Junior dos Santos picked apart Shane Carwin, broke his nose and left the behemoth looking like he was hit by a truck. The Brazilian rolled to a unanimous decision victory, 30-26, 30-27, 30-27, in the main event at UFC 131 in Vancouver.
Dos Santos gets a shot at Velasquez., who's been sidelined since last October recovering from shoulder surgery. The champ has talked about returning in the fall with an eye on the UFC event scheduled for Houston in October.
Saturday night belonged to dos Santos though as the Brazilian handled Carwin at nearly every turn.
"My quickness and agility were the differences tonight. I had a longer reach and heavy hands. Shane was a great opponent, but tonight I proved that I'm ready for the title shot," dos Santos said.
One has to wonder if Velasquez can even successfully defend the title one time with how good dos Santos looked. Dos Santos (13-1, 7-0 UFC) gets better with each fight. Carwin tried to use his wrestling to slow him down but had no success. On the feet, JDS used a quick jab to set up overhand rights and left hooks. He also mixed in some great body shots.
This was a long journey for Dos Santos, who hasn't fought since last August. After his win at UFC 117 over Roy Nelson, JDS was expected to get the first shot at Velasquez. Then the champ went down with the shoulder injury and dos Santos was slotted into the UFC's reality show "The Ultimate Fighter" to coach against Brock Lesnar. The coaches were scheduled to square off at UFC 131.
Earlier this year, the heavyweight contenders spent six weeks in Las Vegas taping the reality show. Last month, Dos Santos found out that Lesnar was backing out of the fight due to complications with his diverticulitis. Lesnar had surgery to remove 12 inches of his colon and is hoping to return at the start of 2012. When he comes back, the division is going to be stacked at the top.
In this clash of big men, Carwin (12-2, 4-2 UFC) almost appeared hopeless after the first round. Moving in and out of the pocket, Dos Santos was too fast for the 255-pound monster. JDS outstruck Carwin 88-20.
With 50 seconds left in the first, JDS caught Carwin with a 1-2 that floored him. Carwin fell to his knees and tried to cover up, but the onslaught from dos Santos was relentless. Somewhere in the hailstorm of punches, Carwin had his nose broken. Referee Herb Dean showed patience by allowing Carwin to fight on. He survived, but when he rose to his feet, the nose was flattened, his left eye was bruised and there was blood all over his face.
Dos Santos' confidence grew as the fight went along. The pummeling continued in the second and third rounds. He landed most of his jabs and held his hands low. Carwin tried to throw back, but too often he was left punching at the air.
In the third, Carwin, a former NCAA Div. II wrestling champ, finally scored a takedown, but he couldn't keep JDS on the ground. It had to break his spirit when dos Santos got back to his feet in less than 15 seconds. In the final two minutes, Dos Santos even landed two huge takedowns of his own to put an exclamation point on the victory.
Carwin admitted that after a year off to recover from back surgery and work on his conditioning, his game had slipped.
"I gotta get my timing back when it comes to boxing. It was a really tough fight to come back to. Junior is a (freakin') tough dude and he was strong. I've got some holes to fix in my wrestling in order to get back to where I need to be," Carwin said.
JDS' wrestling in the final round may have been a subtle message to the champ. Velasquez is an outstanding wrestler, but if he can't get dos Santos off his feet, he's in for a helluva battle.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Allen Iverson eyeing NBA comeback
Allen Iverson wants to keep his passport at home.
Ten years after he became an MVP who led the Philadelphia 76ers to the Finals, Iverson has his eyes on a comeback. He is determined to end a career in the NBA, a career that is possibly destined for the Hall of Fame, and not in some faraway country where brief YouTube clips are the only way to stay updated on the four-time scoring champion.
Iverson, who turned 36 this week, played only 10 games in an injury-filled stint in Turkey after a lack of NBA interest forced him to seek employment elsewhere. In his most recent NBA season, in 2009-10, Iverson left the Sixers in February.
That's not a lot of basketball for an aging veteran.
So what gives Iverson confidence he can still play anywhere near his former elite level next season?
"It's me," he said, laughing. "That's what gives me confidence. I know what I can do. Everybody in the world knows what I can do. Everybody knows what I can do on the basketball court."
Every fan knows how the 25-year-old Iverson could dazzle on the court. Like in the 2001 NBA Finals, when he buried a jumper over Tyronn Lue, then highstepped over the fallen Los Angeles Lakers defender in Game 1. The iconic moment ranked slightly behind his rookie year crossover vs. Michael Jordan as the most memorable of his 14-year career.
Iverson's added few plays to that list the past few years. He played for four teams in his last two NBA seasons, then left the Turkish club Besiktas with a leg injury.
A painful calcium mass developed on his right calf and he returned home opting for rest instead of surgery. Iverson's manager, Gary Moore, said Iverson has yet to receive the green light from Dr. James Andrews to resume contact drills. Iverson was not expected to get cleared until mid-July.
"Just give me a training camp," he said. "Maybe I've rubbed people the wrong way as far as saying the things I've said in my life and in my career. But if any team needs me to help try and win a championship in any capacity, I'm waiting."
He might have a long wait. Throw in a possible work stoppage with NBA owners and players far apart on a new labor deal, and Iverson might again be forced to look outside the NBA for a team. He signed a $4 million, two-year contract with Besiktas. But Iverson, who also has played for Denver, Detroit and Memphis, made it clear in a phone interview late Wednesday night, his first priority is the NBA.
"If that doesn't happen, I just want to play basketball, so I've got to weigh my options and do what's best for me and my career," he said. "If that doesn't happen, I don't want to not play basketball. I don't have any more years to be wasting."
Iverson has been dogged by rumors of personal problems -- his wife filed for divorce and a daughter battled serious health problems -- but he said his life these days is great.
All that's missing is basketball.
"The only thing that I give a damn about is that the people that care about me know that I'm all right," he said. "All I want is my real fans to know I'm fine, my wife is fine, my kids are fine. I'm fine and I'm looking forward to getting back on a team and being productive like I have been my whole career."
Iverson insisted he enjoyed his stay in Turkey.
"It was one of the greatest experiences I've ever had in my life," he said. "They were great to me. They embraced me like I would never think. Everything was great as far as that experiment."
Ten years after he became an MVP who led the Philadelphia 76ers to the Finals, Iverson has his eyes on a comeback. He is determined to end a career in the NBA, a career that is possibly destined for the Hall of Fame, and not in some faraway country where brief YouTube clips are the only way to stay updated on the four-time scoring champion.
Iverson, who turned 36 this week, played only 10 games in an injury-filled stint in Turkey after a lack of NBA interest forced him to seek employment elsewhere. In his most recent NBA season, in 2009-10, Iverson left the Sixers in February.
That's not a lot of basketball for an aging veteran.
So what gives Iverson confidence he can still play anywhere near his former elite level next season?
"It's me," he said, laughing. "That's what gives me confidence. I know what I can do. Everybody in the world knows what I can do. Everybody knows what I can do on the basketball court."
Every fan knows how the 25-year-old Iverson could dazzle on the court. Like in the 2001 NBA Finals, when he buried a jumper over Tyronn Lue, then highstepped over the fallen Los Angeles Lakers defender in Game 1. The iconic moment ranked slightly behind his rookie year crossover vs. Michael Jordan as the most memorable of his 14-year career.
Iverson's added few plays to that list the past few years. He played for four teams in his last two NBA seasons, then left the Turkish club Besiktas with a leg injury.
A painful calcium mass developed on his right calf and he returned home opting for rest instead of surgery. Iverson's manager, Gary Moore, said Iverson has yet to receive the green light from Dr. James Andrews to resume contact drills. Iverson was not expected to get cleared until mid-July.
"Just give me a training camp," he said. "Maybe I've rubbed people the wrong way as far as saying the things I've said in my life and in my career. But if any team needs me to help try and win a championship in any capacity, I'm waiting."
He might have a long wait. Throw in a possible work stoppage with NBA owners and players far apart on a new labor deal, and Iverson might again be forced to look outside the NBA for a team. He signed a $4 million, two-year contract with Besiktas. But Iverson, who also has played for Denver, Detroit and Memphis, made it clear in a phone interview late Wednesday night, his first priority is the NBA.
"If that doesn't happen, I just want to play basketball, so I've got to weigh my options and do what's best for me and my career," he said. "If that doesn't happen, I don't want to not play basketball. I don't have any more years to be wasting."
Iverson has been dogged by rumors of personal problems -- his wife filed for divorce and a daughter battled serious health problems -- but he said his life these days is great.
All that's missing is basketball.
"The only thing that I give a damn about is that the people that care about me know that I'm all right," he said. "All I want is my real fans to know I'm fine, my wife is fine, my kids are fine. I'm fine and I'm looking forward to getting back on a team and being productive like I have been my whole career."
Iverson insisted he enjoyed his stay in Turkey.
"It was one of the greatest experiences I've ever had in my life," he said. "They were great to me. They embraced me like I would never think. Everything was great as far as that experiment."
Lamont Jones headed to Iona
Former Rice High School and University of Arizona point guard Lamont "MoMo" Jones is transferring to Iona.
Jones, a Harlem native, was also considering nearby Seton Hall and Hofstra, among several other schools. Instead, he elected to join the Gaels, in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
Rumors had swirled in recent weeks that Jones was interested in transferring to St. John's, but he was prohibited from doing so by NCAA rules because Moe Hicks, currently on the coaching staff at St. John's, also coached Jones for part of his high school career.
Jones averaged 9.7 points and 2.4 assists per game for Arizona last season, helping lead them to the NCAA tournament Elite Eight, where they lost a nail-biter to eventual national champion UConn. He announced on May 16 that he intended to transfer.
"After much thought, I have decided to pursue my goals at a school closer to home," Jones said in a statement. "My desire to be closer to my family, and in particular my grandmother, is the reason I am transferring."
The rising junior will have two years of eligibility remaining. Normally he would have to sit out the upcoming season, but Jones is expected to apply for a hardship waiver because his grandmother is ill and could be cleared to play this season.
Iona went 25-12 last season under first-year coach Tim Cluess. It lost to St. Peter's in the MAAC tournament championship game and will return the core of last year's team.
Jones, a Harlem native, was also considering nearby Seton Hall and Hofstra, among several other schools. Instead, he elected to join the Gaels, in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
Rumors had swirled in recent weeks that Jones was interested in transferring to St. John's, but he was prohibited from doing so by NCAA rules because Moe Hicks, currently on the coaching staff at St. John's, also coached Jones for part of his high school career.
Jones averaged 9.7 points and 2.4 assists per game for Arizona last season, helping lead them to the NCAA tournament Elite Eight, where they lost a nail-biter to eventual national champion UConn. He announced on May 16 that he intended to transfer.
"After much thought, I have decided to pursue my goals at a school closer to home," Jones said in a statement. "My desire to be closer to my family, and in particular my grandmother, is the reason I am transferring."
The rising junior will have two years of eligibility remaining. Normally he would have to sit out the upcoming season, but Jones is expected to apply for a hardship waiver because his grandmother is ill and could be cleared to play this season.
Iona went 25-12 last season under first-year coach Tim Cluess. It lost to St. Peter's in the MAAC tournament championship game and will return the core of last year's team.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Nate Montana arrested for DUI
The son of NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana has pleaded not guilty to charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding.
Nate Montana appeared in Missoula County Justice Court on Friday.
Jail records show the 21-year-old Montana was booked into jail on a first-offense DUI charge at 3:46 a.m. Friday and released after posting a $685 bond.
The Missoulian reports that Montana and his attorney declined to comment at the hearing.
Montana transferred from Notre Dame to the University of Montana in Missoula in February and is vying for the starting quarterback spot.
Montana was one of 11 Notre Dame athletes arrested on misdemeanor charges of underage drinking at a party in South Bend, Ind., last July.
Nate Montana appeared in Missoula County Justice Court on Friday.
Jail records show the 21-year-old Montana was booked into jail on a first-offense DUI charge at 3:46 a.m. Friday and released after posting a $685 bond.
The Missoulian reports that Montana and his attorney declined to comment at the hearing.
Montana transferred from Notre Dame to the University of Montana in Missoula in February and is vying for the starting quarterback spot.
Montana was one of 11 Notre Dame athletes arrested on misdemeanor charges of underage drinking at a party in South Bend, Ind., last July.
Chavez Wins With Pure Determination
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. defeated Sebastian Zbik by majority decision on Saturday night to win the middleweight title, taking a major step toward establishing his own legacy while his famous father looked on.
Two judges scored the fight for Chavez, 115-113 and 116-112, while the third at it a draw.
"My father came to the Wild Card and told me, 'This is where you win the fight, not down the street at Staples Center,'" Chavez said of the gym of his trainer, Freddie Roach, who also works with Manny Pacquiao. "Work hard, listen to Freddie Roach. This is how you win titles."
Chavez's father won his first title in the same town in 1984, when he stopped Mario Martinez to win the WBC junior lightweight title at the Olympic Auditorium.
His 25-year-old son was behind early against Zbik (30-1), who was the quicker fighter and landed more punches early. But Chavez kept coming forward, countering with hard body shots that seemed to slow his German opponent down.
The fighters, apparently believing the fight could go either way, came out firing in the final round. Chavez seemed to outwork his foe to punctuate a solid performance.
"Zbik had a lot of heart," Roach said. "He came to win, he fought hard. But Junior was in the best condition ever. He simply outlasted Zbik."
Zbik believed he was ahead on the cards going into the final round.
"I won the first five or six rounds," he said. "I thought I was far ahead. But I got hit with those body shots and began to get tired. ... My corner told me I had to win the final round and I thought I did. I think the judges gave Chavez all the close rounds."
Two judges scored the fight for Chavez, 115-113 and 116-112, while the third at it a draw.
"My father came to the Wild Card and told me, 'This is where you win the fight, not down the street at Staples Center,'" Chavez said of the gym of his trainer, Freddie Roach, who also works with Manny Pacquiao. "Work hard, listen to Freddie Roach. This is how you win titles."
Chavez's father won his first title in the same town in 1984, when he stopped Mario Martinez to win the WBC junior lightweight title at the Olympic Auditorium.
His 25-year-old son was behind early against Zbik (30-1), who was the quicker fighter and landed more punches early. But Chavez kept coming forward, countering with hard body shots that seemed to slow his German opponent down.
The fighters, apparently believing the fight could go either way, came out firing in the final round. Chavez seemed to outwork his foe to punctuate a solid performance.
"Zbik had a lot of heart," Roach said. "He came to win, he fought hard. But Junior was in the best condition ever. He simply outlasted Zbik."
Zbik believed he was ahead on the cards going into the final round.
"I won the first five or six rounds," he said. "I thought I was far ahead. But I got hit with those body shots and began to get tired. ... My corner told me I had to win the final round and I thought I did. I think the judges gave Chavez all the close rounds."
Plaxico Burress Released From Prison
In his first precious moments as a free man again, Plaxico Burress embraced his wife and cradled his two young kids after being released from prison for serving nearly two years on a gun charge.
In the kind of heartfelt emotion that can only come from being away from his family for so long, Burress soaked up the reunion with his loved ones. He even looked giddy like a kid again finding a few touching minutes to play with his two dogs.
"I just want to thank God for bringing me through one of the most trying times in my life," said Burress, who wore an old school Philadelphia Phillies hat, a black zip-up hoodie and shorts. "It's a beautiful day. It's a beautiful day to be reunited with my family. I want to go home and spend some quality time with them.
"I'd like to thank everybody for their prayers and words of encouragement," Burress continued in his brief comment to reporters outside the prison. "I'd like to thank all my fans all around the world for the thousands of letters, for their unwavering support. As far as football is concerned, if and when everything gets settled, when they get back on the field, I'll be ready."
Shortly after walking out of the Oneida Correctional Facility around 9 a.m. ET, Burress' lawyer, Peter Frankel, drove the wide receiver to the nearby Lodge at the Turning Stone Resort-Casino for his emotional reunion with his wife Tiffany, his son Elijah, 4, and daughter Giovanna, 1.
After spending over an hour at the hotel with his family, Burress who was followed by a camera crew that was with the family spent a few minutes playing with his two dogs in front of the hotel while an SUV was loaded with luggage.
Burress looked incredibly happy and humbled. He played peek-a-boo with his daughter while she was sitting inside the car and he was standing outside before later hopping into the back seat with his children.
Drew Rosenhaus, Burress' agent, said earlier on Monday morning that his client would travel to South Florida where he has a home and begin immediately training with a trainer and other football players to resume his NFL comeback.
The agent, who jumped into Burress' arms moments after he walked out of the prison, also said Burress isn't ruling out a possible reunion with the New York Giants.
"I wouldn't rule out any team, I wouldn't rule out the Giants, I wouldn't rule out any club," Rosenhaus told reporters on a foggy Monday morning. "I really won't talk about specific teams because I don't want to hurt his position. As far as the Giants, my personal opinion is he wouldn't rule them out. I certainly wouldn't.
"We are going to be open to all 32 teams," Rosenhaus added. "Ultimately this will be Plax's decision, not mine. I am here to help him pick the best spot and get the very best contract. And that is what we will do."
Brandon Jacobs, one of Burress' best friends on the Giants, said last Thursday that "there is no chance Plaxico Burress is a New York Giant after he comes home" and that the wide receiver was looking for a fresh start, perhaps with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Several Giants players want Burress back with the team, which has missed the postseason the last two years without Burress. Coach Tom Coughlin has said that there hasn't been much discussion about a possible reunion.
Former Giants teammate Osi Umenyiora told ESPN in a "SportsCenter" interview on Monday that Burress looked like he was in "tremendous shape" when he visited the receiver in prison.
"I think he'll be able to make an impact immediately," he said. "A guy with that kind of physical ability and that kind of talent ... All you have to do is throw him the ball and he'll be able to make the same kind of plays he was able to make before."
At a quick glance, Burress, who will turn 34 in August, appeared to be in good shape. Rosenhaus said Burress did all he could to stay in shape while in prison.
"He's been very strong," Rosenhaus said. "He did a lot better than I would have. No question worked out, maintained a very positive attitude, always driven to get back to the NFL, be with his family again. As well as you could for 21 months of incarceration.
"Running, staying in shape, sprints, jogging, lifting weights, as much as you can do in a facility like this," Rosenhaus added. "Running routes, didn't have a quarterback here unfortunately. But he did very well push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, a lot of core strength, as much as you can imagine in this type of environment."
Burress will become a free agent once the lockout ends and free agency begins. Rosenhaus believes there will be a strong interest in his client. Teams like the New York Jets, St. Louis Rams, Washington Redskins and Eagles could be interested in the 6-foot-5 receiver, who caught the game-winning touchdown in the Giants' 17-14 Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots during the 2007 season.
"Before the lockout started and during that very brief window, right around the time of the draft, the feedback was excellent," said Rosenhaus, who along with all other agents is not allowed to talk to teams until the lockout is lifted. "Plaxico is going to be a top free agent, there are going to be multiple teams interested in signing him. I expect him to get a good contract, I expect him to absolutely be playing. I think he'll be coveted. He'll be one of our top free agents."
Burress has not played football since late November in 2008 when a handgun that was tucked in his sweatpants slipped from his waistband and went off as he tried to grab the gun while in a New York City nightclub. Burress shot himself in the thigh. Nearly a year later, he entered prison to serve his sentence in September of 2009.
Burress was released about three months early for good behavior.
Because he was a high-profile inmate, he was placed in a protective custody unit at the prison, which has 930 inmates, 20 in protective custody. While in prison, he completed an aggression management program and worked as a lawn and grounds laborer, according the state's Department of Correctional Services.
Burress violated prison rules and regulations three times: He lied to a guard about having permission to use the phone; gave another inmate a pair of black and silver sneakers that were deemed contraband; and had too many cassette tapes and an unauthorized extra pillow in his "filthy" cell.
"I think he's learned an awful lot," Rosenhaus said. "He knows that he obviously made a mistake and certainly the maturation from being in this type of environment for so many months to reflect on your life and the things you might do differently. To miss two NFL seasons in the prime of your career, to not be with your family, most importantly, to lose out on millions and millions of dollars -- these are things that have forced him certainly to evaluate his life and we all would become a better person."
In the kind of heartfelt emotion that can only come from being away from his family for so long, Burress soaked up the reunion with his loved ones. He even looked giddy like a kid again finding a few touching minutes to play with his two dogs.
"I just want to thank God for bringing me through one of the most trying times in my life," said Burress, who wore an old school Philadelphia Phillies hat, a black zip-up hoodie and shorts. "It's a beautiful day. It's a beautiful day to be reunited with my family. I want to go home and spend some quality time with them.
"I'd like to thank everybody for their prayers and words of encouragement," Burress continued in his brief comment to reporters outside the prison. "I'd like to thank all my fans all around the world for the thousands of letters, for their unwavering support. As far as football is concerned, if and when everything gets settled, when they get back on the field, I'll be ready."
Shortly after walking out of the Oneida Correctional Facility around 9 a.m. ET, Burress' lawyer, Peter Frankel, drove the wide receiver to the nearby Lodge at the Turning Stone Resort-Casino for his emotional reunion with his wife Tiffany, his son Elijah, 4, and daughter Giovanna, 1.
After spending over an hour at the hotel with his family, Burress who was followed by a camera crew that was with the family spent a few minutes playing with his two dogs in front of the hotel while an SUV was loaded with luggage.
Burress looked incredibly happy and humbled. He played peek-a-boo with his daughter while she was sitting inside the car and he was standing outside before later hopping into the back seat with his children.
Drew Rosenhaus, Burress' agent, said earlier on Monday morning that his client would travel to South Florida where he has a home and begin immediately training with a trainer and other football players to resume his NFL comeback.
The agent, who jumped into Burress' arms moments after he walked out of the prison, also said Burress isn't ruling out a possible reunion with the New York Giants.
"I wouldn't rule out any team, I wouldn't rule out the Giants, I wouldn't rule out any club," Rosenhaus told reporters on a foggy Monday morning. "I really won't talk about specific teams because I don't want to hurt his position. As far as the Giants, my personal opinion is he wouldn't rule them out. I certainly wouldn't.
"We are going to be open to all 32 teams," Rosenhaus added. "Ultimately this will be Plax's decision, not mine. I am here to help him pick the best spot and get the very best contract. And that is what we will do."
Brandon Jacobs, one of Burress' best friends on the Giants, said last Thursday that "there is no chance Plaxico Burress is a New York Giant after he comes home" and that the wide receiver was looking for a fresh start, perhaps with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Several Giants players want Burress back with the team, which has missed the postseason the last two years without Burress. Coach Tom Coughlin has said that there hasn't been much discussion about a possible reunion.
Former Giants teammate Osi Umenyiora told ESPN in a "SportsCenter" interview on Monday that Burress looked like he was in "tremendous shape" when he visited the receiver in prison.
"I think he'll be able to make an impact immediately," he said. "A guy with that kind of physical ability and that kind of talent ... All you have to do is throw him the ball and he'll be able to make the same kind of plays he was able to make before."
At a quick glance, Burress, who will turn 34 in August, appeared to be in good shape. Rosenhaus said Burress did all he could to stay in shape while in prison.
"He's been very strong," Rosenhaus said. "He did a lot better than I would have. No question worked out, maintained a very positive attitude, always driven to get back to the NFL, be with his family again. As well as you could for 21 months of incarceration.
"Running, staying in shape, sprints, jogging, lifting weights, as much as you can do in a facility like this," Rosenhaus added. "Running routes, didn't have a quarterback here unfortunately. But he did very well push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, a lot of core strength, as much as you can imagine in this type of environment."
Burress will become a free agent once the lockout ends and free agency begins. Rosenhaus believes there will be a strong interest in his client. Teams like the New York Jets, St. Louis Rams, Washington Redskins and Eagles could be interested in the 6-foot-5 receiver, who caught the game-winning touchdown in the Giants' 17-14 Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots during the 2007 season.
"Before the lockout started and during that very brief window, right around the time of the draft, the feedback was excellent," said Rosenhaus, who along with all other agents is not allowed to talk to teams until the lockout is lifted. "Plaxico is going to be a top free agent, there are going to be multiple teams interested in signing him. I expect him to get a good contract, I expect him to absolutely be playing. I think he'll be coveted. He'll be one of our top free agents."
Burress has not played football since late November in 2008 when a handgun that was tucked in his sweatpants slipped from his waistband and went off as he tried to grab the gun while in a New York City nightclub. Burress shot himself in the thigh. Nearly a year later, he entered prison to serve his sentence in September of 2009.
Burress was released about three months early for good behavior.
Because he was a high-profile inmate, he was placed in a protective custody unit at the prison, which has 930 inmates, 20 in protective custody. While in prison, he completed an aggression management program and worked as a lawn and grounds laborer, according the state's Department of Correctional Services.
Burress violated prison rules and regulations three times: He lied to a guard about having permission to use the phone; gave another inmate a pair of black and silver sneakers that were deemed contraband; and had too many cassette tapes and an unauthorized extra pillow in his "filthy" cell.
"I think he's learned an awful lot," Rosenhaus said. "He knows that he obviously made a mistake and certainly the maturation from being in this type of environment for so many months to reflect on your life and the things you might do differently. To miss two NFL seasons in the prime of your career, to not be with your family, most importantly, to lose out on millions and millions of dollars -- these are things that have forced him certainly to evaluate his life and we all would become a better person."
Friday, June 3, 2011
Amir Khan-Zab Judah on for July 23
Junior welterweight titleholders Amir Khan and Zab Judah will meet to unify their belts in one of the biggest fights of the summer on July 23 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, both camps told ESPN.com.
The bout will headline HBO's "World Championship Boxing," the second fight of a four-fight deal Khan signed with the network before his April 16 victory against Paul McCloskey.
Kathy Duva of Main Events, Judah's promoter, made a deal with Golden Boy's Richard Schaefer, Khan's promoter, on Tuesday morning, a little over a week after titleholder Timothy Bradley turned his back on a career-high payday of at least $1.4 million to face Khan.
The fight with Bradley was the one Khan really wanted, and the fight HBO was hoping for. But when Bradley stunningly rejected a 50-50 deal -- including half of the money generated from the television rights in Khan's native England -- attention turned elsewhere.
Schaefer offered the fight to resurgent former three-division champion Erik Morales, who works with Golden Boy, but he rejected the fight. That left Judah, a big name and owner of a world title, as the obvious choice.
"We've agreed on the terms and the contracts are being drawn," Duva said.
Said Schaefer, "This was not an easy deal to make, but I am happy that in the end it got done. Whenever you have two world champions fighting each other you have a big fight. It's a big-time fight with two big time names. It's a big test for Amir and a tremendous opportunity for Judah."
Schaefer and Duva have been going back and forth for days over the deal. Khan wanted a 60-40 split in his favor while Judah wanted a 50-50 deal on everything other than the British television revenue, which he said Khan could keep.
The sides eventually agreed to a 55-45 split in Khan's favor, but the sticking point was location. Golden Boy insisted on Las Vegas while Duva hoped to explore a deal in Atlantic City, N.J., Judah's home region. Duva and Judah eventually dropped that demand, clearing the way for a deal.
"I told Zab I'd rather just get the promotion going and get him in the gym and we'll make money at the site in Las Vegas if we promote it well," Duva said. "Zab agreed. At some point you stop quibbling over a couple of points. Zab will make money when he beats this guy. That's where the upside is. They each have a world title, but the thing Khan has that Zab doesn't is a multi-fight agreement with HBO. That's where his strength comes from. And when Zab beats him, HBO will be seeking out Zab Judah for a multi-fight contract. He'll be the man at that point."
"I got what I wanted, so I am happy. Now it's time to go work," said Judah, who was on his way to the gym for a training session. "I've been praying on this fight. My goal is to be undisputed champion at two weights. I did it at 147 and I'm gonna do it at 140 starting with Amir Khan. I'm gonna work hard. I'm very experienced, so whichever way he brings the fight I can deal with it and take it from him.
"I know Amir wanted the Bradley fight, but who wouldn't? Bradley can't break an egg. A fight with 'Super' Judah is not a fight Amir wanted. Don't let him lie to you."
Khan, however, sure sounded gung-ho about facing Judah, with whom he has engaged in an amusing war of words on Twitter in recent days.
"Zab's a good fighter. He's strong, he's fit. All the stuff on Twitter is fun, but we're both professionals. It's just spicing things up," Khan told ESPN.com a couple of days before the deal was agreed to. "He was undisputed champion at 147 and now he's a champion at 140. ... If Bradley don't want me, I'm happy to take Judah on and beat him."
Khan (25-1, 17 KOs) will be making his fifth defense of the belt he won by virtual shutout decision against Andriy Kotelnik in July 2009. He knocked out Dmitriy Salita in 76 seconds in his first defense and followed with an 11th-round TKO of former titlist Paulie Malignaggi, a decision against slugger Marcos Maidana in an action-packed bout named 2010 Boxing Writers Association of America fight of the year, and a six-round technical decision against McCloskey in April.
Judah (41-6, 28 KOs), 33, will be making the first defense of his third 140-pound title reign. He won his first 140-pound belt in 2000 and made five defenses before suffering his first defeat, a second-round knockout to Kostya Tszyu in a fight for the undisputed championship. Judah eventually won another slice of the title in 2003 and eventually moved up in weight. He captured the undisputed welterweight title in 2005 when he went to Cory Spinks' hometown of St. Louis and knocked him out in the ninth round.
In 2006, Carlos Baldomir outpointed Judah in a massive upset to win the welterweight crown. Judah later suffered welterweight losses to Floyd Mayweather Jr., Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey and decided he would be best served by returning to the junior welterweight division.
He moved down in weight last summer and stopped Jose Armando Santa Cruz in three rounds. In November, he won a split decision against Lucas Matthysse in a title eliminator. When Devon Alexander was stripped of his version of the title for not facing No. 1 contender Kaizer Mabuza, Judah got the opportunity to face Mabuza for the vacant belt in March and made the most of it.
Judah, who brought in Hall of Famer and mentor Pernell Whitaker to train him along with his father, Yoel Judah, knocked Mabuza out in the seventh round, setting the stage for the fight with Khan.
"You see Bradley and Morales turning down this fight with Khan and, at some point, you just say, 'OK, thank you.' Zab is very excited to get the fight. So is Whitaker," Duva said. "This leads Zab to a very nice position in the fall where he's got major fights and nothing but major fights when he wins. We're all very excited about it. We believed since he came back to junior welterweight that he could beat everyone in the division. He's already taken out Matthysse and Mabuza and now it's Khan."
Said Judah, "My trainer, Pernell Whitaker, will have a great game plan for this fight. I knew this fight was coming and I've been preparing myself. I have already been training. I wish we could do a press conference tomorrow so I could take off my shirt and show everybody how ready I am already."
Whitaker's presence in Judah's corner makes it a fight with two big-name trainers. Khan is trained by five-time trainer of the year Freddie Roach.
"Freddie Roach against Pernell Whitaker, that's a helluva trainer matchup," Duva said. "It will be really interesting to watch them go head to head and try to outdo the other guy's game plan."
Golden Boy and Main Events will share the undercard and Duva said she intends to put welterweight contender Joel "Love Child" Julio (37-4, 31 KOs) on the card in one of her company's fights. Julio scored a lopsided decision win against Anges Adjaho on ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights" on May 20.
"Our plan is to put him on the card," she said. "We're looking for somebody interesting for him to fight. Maybe we can match him with one of Golden Boy's fighters."
Dan Rafael is the boxing writer for ESPN.com.
The bout will headline HBO's "World Championship Boxing," the second fight of a four-fight deal Khan signed with the network before his April 16 victory against Paul McCloskey.
Kathy Duva of Main Events, Judah's promoter, made a deal with Golden Boy's Richard Schaefer, Khan's promoter, on Tuesday morning, a little over a week after titleholder Timothy Bradley turned his back on a career-high payday of at least $1.4 million to face Khan.
The fight with Bradley was the one Khan really wanted, and the fight HBO was hoping for. But when Bradley stunningly rejected a 50-50 deal -- including half of the money generated from the television rights in Khan's native England -- attention turned elsewhere.
Schaefer offered the fight to resurgent former three-division champion Erik Morales, who works with Golden Boy, but he rejected the fight. That left Judah, a big name and owner of a world title, as the obvious choice.
"We've agreed on the terms and the contracts are being drawn," Duva said.
Said Schaefer, "This was not an easy deal to make, but I am happy that in the end it got done. Whenever you have two world champions fighting each other you have a big fight. It's a big-time fight with two big time names. It's a big test for Amir and a tremendous opportunity for Judah."
Schaefer and Duva have been going back and forth for days over the deal. Khan wanted a 60-40 split in his favor while Judah wanted a 50-50 deal on everything other than the British television revenue, which he said Khan could keep.
The sides eventually agreed to a 55-45 split in Khan's favor, but the sticking point was location. Golden Boy insisted on Las Vegas while Duva hoped to explore a deal in Atlantic City, N.J., Judah's home region. Duva and Judah eventually dropped that demand, clearing the way for a deal.
"I told Zab I'd rather just get the promotion going and get him in the gym and we'll make money at the site in Las Vegas if we promote it well," Duva said. "Zab agreed. At some point you stop quibbling over a couple of points. Zab will make money when he beats this guy. That's where the upside is. They each have a world title, but the thing Khan has that Zab doesn't is a multi-fight agreement with HBO. That's where his strength comes from. And when Zab beats him, HBO will be seeking out Zab Judah for a multi-fight contract. He'll be the man at that point."
"I got what I wanted, so I am happy. Now it's time to go work," said Judah, who was on his way to the gym for a training session. "I've been praying on this fight. My goal is to be undisputed champion at two weights. I did it at 147 and I'm gonna do it at 140 starting with Amir Khan. I'm gonna work hard. I'm very experienced, so whichever way he brings the fight I can deal with it and take it from him.
"I know Amir wanted the Bradley fight, but who wouldn't? Bradley can't break an egg. A fight with 'Super' Judah is not a fight Amir wanted. Don't let him lie to you."
Khan, however, sure sounded gung-ho about facing Judah, with whom he has engaged in an amusing war of words on Twitter in recent days.
"Zab's a good fighter. He's strong, he's fit. All the stuff on Twitter is fun, but we're both professionals. It's just spicing things up," Khan told ESPN.com a couple of days before the deal was agreed to. "He was undisputed champion at 147 and now he's a champion at 140. ... If Bradley don't want me, I'm happy to take Judah on and beat him."
Khan (25-1, 17 KOs) will be making his fifth defense of the belt he won by virtual shutout decision against Andriy Kotelnik in July 2009. He knocked out Dmitriy Salita in 76 seconds in his first defense and followed with an 11th-round TKO of former titlist Paulie Malignaggi, a decision against slugger Marcos Maidana in an action-packed bout named 2010 Boxing Writers Association of America fight of the year, and a six-round technical decision against McCloskey in April.
Judah (41-6, 28 KOs), 33, will be making the first defense of his third 140-pound title reign. He won his first 140-pound belt in 2000 and made five defenses before suffering his first defeat, a second-round knockout to Kostya Tszyu in a fight for the undisputed championship. Judah eventually won another slice of the title in 2003 and eventually moved up in weight. He captured the undisputed welterweight title in 2005 when he went to Cory Spinks' hometown of St. Louis and knocked him out in the ninth round.
In 2006, Carlos Baldomir outpointed Judah in a massive upset to win the welterweight crown. Judah later suffered welterweight losses to Floyd Mayweather Jr., Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey and decided he would be best served by returning to the junior welterweight division.
He moved down in weight last summer and stopped Jose Armando Santa Cruz in three rounds. In November, he won a split decision against Lucas Matthysse in a title eliminator. When Devon Alexander was stripped of his version of the title for not facing No. 1 contender Kaizer Mabuza, Judah got the opportunity to face Mabuza for the vacant belt in March and made the most of it.
Judah, who brought in Hall of Famer and mentor Pernell Whitaker to train him along with his father, Yoel Judah, knocked Mabuza out in the seventh round, setting the stage for the fight with Khan.
"You see Bradley and Morales turning down this fight with Khan and, at some point, you just say, 'OK, thank you.' Zab is very excited to get the fight. So is Whitaker," Duva said. "This leads Zab to a very nice position in the fall where he's got major fights and nothing but major fights when he wins. We're all very excited about it. We believed since he came back to junior welterweight that he could beat everyone in the division. He's already taken out Matthysse and Mabuza and now it's Khan."
Said Judah, "My trainer, Pernell Whitaker, will have a great game plan for this fight. I knew this fight was coming and I've been preparing myself. I have already been training. I wish we could do a press conference tomorrow so I could take off my shirt and show everybody how ready I am already."
Whitaker's presence in Judah's corner makes it a fight with two big-name trainers. Khan is trained by five-time trainer of the year Freddie Roach.
"Freddie Roach against Pernell Whitaker, that's a helluva trainer matchup," Duva said. "It will be really interesting to watch them go head to head and try to outdo the other guy's game plan."
Golden Boy and Main Events will share the undercard and Duva said she intends to put welterweight contender Joel "Love Child" Julio (37-4, 31 KOs) on the card in one of her company's fights. Julio scored a lopsided decision win against Anges Adjaho on ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights" on May 20.
"Our plan is to put him on the card," she said. "We're looking for somebody interesting for him to fight. Maybe we can match him with one of Golden Boy's fighters."
Dan Rafael is the boxing writer for ESPN.com.
Shaquille O'Neal Eager For Next Chapter
Shaquille O'Neal changed from his gray T-shirt and sweat pants into a three-piece suit, then walked by some of the souvenirs he accrued during his NBA days for the final time as an active player.
Framed jerseys from the likes of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Wayne Gretzky, Mark McGwire, Kirby Puckett, Steve Young and Jerry Rice. An NBA Finals MVP trophy. Bottles of wine with labels bearing the "S" logo that he borrowed from Superman and essentially made his own. Basketballs with the Miami Heat logos painted on them, one to commemorate his 25,000th point, the other for his 10,000th rebound. A photo of him, Bill Russell and John Wooden.
It took him 19 years to collect those memories
On Friday, he vowed to start truly savoring them.
"It's time for what's next," O'Neal said.
O'Neal, 39, made his retirement official Friday, reiterating what he revealed in a video posted online two days earlier that his NBA playing days are over. Saying those words made his pro career full-circle, because it all ended at his home in a suburb of Orlando, the city where his pro days began when the Magic made him the No. 1 pick in 1992.
"Never thought this day would come," O'Neal said. "Father Time has finally caught up with Shaquille O'Neal."
Speculation has been high for weeks that O'Neal's playing days were over, and what was widely expected became real on Wednesday. It took him 10 seconds to announce his plan online, and as few athletes in the world could do, those 10 seconds turned into a three-day story. Tributes have poured in since, and on Friday, O'Neal thanked just about everyone he could remember.
His parents, thanking his father for his disciplinary ways and his mother for sneaking him cake, milk and cookies when that discipline prevented the boy from getting his own. His brothers and sisters. His six children, who got an apology for his schedule demands and a promise that they would keep going to Toys "R" Us. His fans worldwide. The NBA and commissioner David Stern. The camaraderie in the locker room. The six teams he played with.
"And I'm really going to miss the free throws," deadpanned O'Neal, a notoriously bad foul-shooter.
A joker, all the way to the end.
He would not have it any other way.
He insisted he will not return, either, nor will he coach anyone but his three sons.
His career ends with 28,596 points, 13,099 rebounds, 15 All-Star selections, four championships and three NBA Finals MVP awards. He had a $1.4 million option to return to the Boston Celtics next season, but he said he did not want to hold up the team's plans several months if he needs Achilles surgery.
So he made the decision to retire, on his terms.
"I'm the luckiest guy in the world," O'Neal said.
For a finale, it was in a fitting place. He loves his mansion, about two miles from Tiger Woods' longtime home and surrounded by a private golf course, ironic in the sense that O'Neal has no plans to take up the game in retirement.
O'Neal bought the home in 1993, and it's remained his base ever since -- even after he left Orlando for Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix, Cleveland and Boston throughout the remainder of his NBA career.
The doorways are enormous, as one would expect when the primary occupant of the home is over 7 feet tall. Guests were ushered in across a red carpet laid out over his meticulous garage, which held luxury cars and motorcycles. Family and close friends gathered in the massive kitchen while the gymnasium filled for a celebration that was tinged for many with a bit of sadness.
"This is a bittersweet day on behalf of the family," said O'Neal's mother, Lucille Harrison. "It's been 19 years, but the 19 years have gone by so quick."
Dale Brown, who coached O'Neal at LSU, sat on Shaq's left. Brown told a slew of Shaq stories, including one when he asked permission to eat peanuts from a hotel minibar, not even considering sneaking the liquor instead. Brown lauded how O'Neal was raised and the charitable work he does, much of which Shaq does not reveal publicly.
O'Neal was so moved by Hurricane Katrina that not only did he arrange for tractor-trailers to bring supplies to storm-ravaged New Orleans, he personally went to oversee distribution efforts. And after that, Shaq considered signing with the New Orleans Hornets, thinking his mere presence in the city would help recovery efforts even more, but the deal simply fell through.
"He's an unbelievable person," Brown said. "He'll stay that way."
Brown lauded the work O'Neal's parents turned in, even chiding the college scandals of today by pointing out that when he went through the LSU recruiting process, there was no shady deals, no under-the-table anything.
"This just didn't happen," Brown said. "The other thing that's very obvious to me is that this should be a beacon, a beacon light for all young people watching this."
In the hours before meeting with the media, O'Neal expressed gratitude to the Lakers for planning to retire his No. 34.
"I would like to thank the Laker organization for thinking of me," O'Neal said on ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike in the Morning," adding he spoke Thursday with Lakers owner Jerry Buss and vice president Jeannie Buss.
In the interview, he added he believes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to be the best to ever play the center position. And, excluding himself from the conversation, he considers Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson to be among the top five centers of all time.
"Just to have my name mentioned next to those guys is a blessing," O'Neal said.
His immediate future is uncertain. He'll likely work in television, but his health comes first. Injuries derailed him mightily this season with the Celtics, and if his injured Achilles' doesn't improve soon, surgery may be an option.
"I've got to get that right," O'Neal said Friday before the throng of media at his home, "before I go into the next chapter."
Only O'Neal knows what that chapter might include, but he hinted at a possibility Friday afternoon on ESPN 710's "Mark & Marcellus Show."
When asked about owning an NFL franchise in Los Angeles, O'Neal said he was interested.
"Yes. Very interested. I don't want to say too much but yes, we are looking," he said.
The ways he changed the game were countless. No one ever saw anyone with the combination of size, strength and athleticism before he came along. He was the first NBA big man to become a marketing giant. He spent huge money -- $650,000 one year in Miami -- to play Shaq-a-Claus for underprivileged kids at Christmas.
With O'Neal, everything wasn't always perfect. He clashed with teammates like Kobe Bryant at times, clashed with coaches like Stan Van Gundy at others. Nonetheless, those in the league still hold him in high esteem.
"A living legend," Heat guard Dwyane Wade said.
O'Neal said he leaves with some regrets, foremost among them not being able to reach 30,000 points, and blaming that on his inability to make free throws. When it comes to the NBA, that's the only thing he won't miss any more -- those 15-footers that he struggled with his entire career.
O'Neal said he leaves with some regrets, foremost among them not being able to reach 30,000 points. And while everyone knew what he would say on Friday, he was anxious, something his mother gently chided him for afterward.
"I was nervous, Momma," O'Neal said. "I'm sorry."
Everyone laughed, as they did several times throughout the ceremony. He joked that the New York Knicks were calling for an interview. He cited his work in "award-winning movies, such as Kazaam."
He turned serious at times, too, thanking coaches such as Jackson and Boston's Doc Rivers, and proudly saying that his doctorate will be completed by January at Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla.
He'll then be called Dr. O'Neal. Good thing, because all his famous nicknames -- Shaq-Fu, The Big Aristotle, Diesel and especially Superman -- are now retired along with him, he said.
Henceforth, he'll call himself The Big AARP, which that organization couldn't have been happier to hear.
"If you're like most of our members -- half are still working, many more give back to their communities -- you're not done yet, either," AARP CEO A. Barry Rand said in a statement. "There's plenty left to do, enjoy, and figure out after 'retirement,' so let us know if you want help figuring out what's next."
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