Books & NBA Players: Some international players in the league aren't wasting their time playing video games. "The Cleveland Cavaliers say Zydrunas Ilgauskas, a Lithuanian center who is obsessed with military history, often reads right up until tip-off. Orlando Magic center Adonal Foyle, who was raised on an island in the Grenadines with no electricity, says he's the only player he knows who stocks up on hardcovers before every road trip. New Orleans Hornets center Emeka Okafor, whose parents both hail from Nigeria, is one of the league's most accomplished fans of literature ... Miami's Dwyane Wade isn't afraid to admit that one of his favorite books was Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" ... Utah's Mr. Kirilenko, who reads everything from Tolstoy and Bulgakov ..." Last three books we just ordered: The Road, Media Man, and Freakonomics. [WSJ] (25)
LeBron sang along to Eminem’s lyrics. LeBron also torched the Lakers for 37 points, hurdled the Lakers bench in a single bound, shook up Kobe with a spin move, and the Cavs swept the season series from the Lakers. Kobe? Even though his supporting cast was at full strength – the Cavs will be without Mo Williams for 4-6 weeks – Bryant struggled miserably from the field, making just 12-of-31 shots (7-of-23 after the first quarter), and the Lakers bricked far too many free throws (15-of-24). Naturally, Kobe took a shot at his teammates after the loss. Read the rest of this entry »
Did Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown make a wager that will make Roger Goodell unhappy? (Joe Bucs Fan)
Thunder Collins, the former Nebraska running back, received a sentence of 90-110 years in jail. He had some interesting things to say in court afterward. (Omaha WH) Read the rest of this entry »
Bill Simmons had a book signing in LA yesterday, and adult film star Courtney Cummz made an appearance (great quote: “I want to bite him!”) We highly recommend not googling her if you are at work. In other Simmons news, here’s the New York Times review of his book, which describes him as a “well-informed, snarky, porn- and gambling-loving superfan.”
Andre Agassi can be added to the list of folks who don’t like polarizing New York Daily News columnist Mike Lupica. In Agassi’s new book – which comes out tomorrow – the retired tennis star twice brings up issues he had with the lilliputian Lupica. A reader who works in a bookstore and has already read the book sent us the two surprising passages where Agassi takes a shot at Lupica. Read the rest of this entry »
Theo Fleury: "Theo Fleury is ready to tell the world what many suspected for years: He was sexually abused by Graham James. The Sun has learned the explosive revelation is detailed in his tell-all book, Playing with Fire, which will be released next week. While the book, co-written by Kirstie McLellan Day, is filled with raw anecdotes concerning massive drinking, drug and gambling binges, strip-club exploits and his eventual road to recovery, Fleury's relationship with James is sure to capture the nation's attention over the next few weeks ... A recovering alcoholic who was reinstated by the NHL after being suspended indefinitely six years ago for contravening the league's substance abuse and behaviour policy, Fleury recently captured the attention of Calgarians with a gutsy comeback attempt at age 41 with the Flames." [Calgary Sun via On the Forecheck] (43)
Back in April, we linked up this tremendous book-in-progress by Patrick Ireland. He’s better known as the ‘Boy in the Window.’ That excerpt is a gripping read, and a book deal (hell, a bidding war) seemed automatic. But no. It hasn’t happened. And the author who has worked with Ireland on the book, Terry Frei, launched into an epic tirade on his website about what they’ve been through with publishers regarding the potential book. Read the rest of this entry »
Katy Perry … bees can recognize human faces … dog shoots hunter (not a joke) … yet another reason not to watch Intervention … X-ray shows dog ate rubber duck … this guy lost a ton of weight and he’s still the world’s fattest man … not sure why Jessica Lowndes isn’t a bigger deal … a list of every player invited to the NFL combine … remaking We Are the World (for Haiti) …
Back in April, we linked up this 