LeBron James has had a busy (and if you’re outside of Miami, not so good) summer. There was the Decision, him joining Twitter, the ESPN article that allegedly existed at one point, the skinny jeans pictures in GQ magazine and much, much more. Everyone’s had something to say about the King, and not all of it was good. That led to his now infamous “mental notes” warning via Twitter and even more over-analyzing of his every move.

Luckily for us basketball fans, the season is approaching soon, which means we’ll all get back to watching the game. In one of the first glimpses of him practicing for his new Miami Heat team, LeBron proves what we all already knew, nobody can guard him. Not even Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

You might notice the “I can’t stop him so I’ll push him as he shoots” defense Spoelstra repeatedly uses has no effect on James. It’s probably because James is built like a truck and Spoelstra looks like a grocery store bag boy, but either way someone needs to remind him that he doesn’t play for the Lakers, so he won’t get away with that type of defense. (Zing!)

On a more serious note though, it’s good to see him in the gym working on continuing to improve his outside shot. As has been noted a million times, if he can develop a consistent jumper and low-post game, he’ll become unstoppable. Also good to see Udonis Haslem in there after his questionable arrest a few weeks ago, although the video doesn’t specify when it was filmed. If basketball isn’t your thing, you can always watch this video he just released of his son’s kindergarten classroom.

- Will.

Will R. is a journalist/writer who covers sports, news and music for several websites. His music work can be found on www.WestCoastRydaz.com

The Miami Heat played the New Jersey Nets in London and gave the audience what they came to see. A lot of dunks, highlighted by Dwyane Wade throwing down over Yi Jianlian.

That’s the D-Wade I’m used to. If he can stay healthy he’ll be an MVP candidate at the end of the season. I’ll forgive the traveling during the spin move and the double-dribble on breakaways as long as he’s playing hungry.

Highlights from Heat-Nets in London:

Miami Heat rookie Michael Beasley hasn’t played an official NBA game yet, but he’s making headlines like he’s been in the league for years. He’s already fired an agent, and he was fined 50k by the league for partying at rookie camp.

Beasley signed with sneaker company Adidas yesterday and even that has turned into a mini-drama for the rook. His business manager, Steven Reed, was obviously glad he pulled off the deal which led him spit the following words:

“Mike has agreed enthusiastically to endorse adidas and wear the shoe as he has done his whole playing life.”‘

Beasley has worn Adidas “his whole playing life.” Sweet. Wait.. What’s that? Beasley wore Jordans while playing at Kansas State? I wonder what Michael has to say about that..

From Sports Biz with Darren Rovell:

So we were sure that if Beasley made any comment about adidas it surely wouldn’t be that he’s been wearing the brand forever. But that didn’t happen.

“I’ve been playing in adidas since I was 13 years old,” Beasley told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel tonight.

That’s a true statement, technically. But you also loved your Jordans.

Michael Beasley hasn’t done anything to earn it, but I’m gonna give him the benefit of the doubt. He probably meant he has played in Adidas along with Nike and other brands, not that he has only played in Adidas. Because if he’s saying that, as Rovell pointed out, it would be a lie.

This audio’s been floating around and getting pulled for the last few days so listen to it while you can. If you’re keeping score, Dwyane Wade has now been linked to Gabrielle Union, Star Jones, and some chick calling into a radio program. I think the call’s fake, and probably staged by the show themselves, but if it’s real, this is a dangerous development.. I’ll call it the Superheadzation of our country. What’s up with the kissin and tellin? Jumpoffs know they’re jumpoffs so they don’t need to be running off at the mouth.. or pen. Take your money or night of glory or whatever you’re getting out of it and keep it moving.

Dwyane Wade, NBA, Groupie, interview

I think I’m starting to understand Smush Parker’s problem with the female valet. In Smush’s world, groping is not only a sign of affection, it’s a form of payment. By my count, he broke the ladies in this video off about five gs. If I was Donald Sterling I’d have security close by any time Smush is near the Clippers cheerleaders.

Tags: Smush Parker, Horny, video, youtube, Los Angeles Clippers

I thought the Shaquille O’Neal as a jockey commercial during the Super Bowl was one of the better commercials.. Based on the visual of big ass Shaq riding a horse.. I like to think of Shaq being a jockey as a metaphor. The horse actually represents Dwyane Wade or Steve Nash.. And the finish line represents the NBA championship.. Meaning, the only way Shaq gets the prize is on the back of somebody else.

Check out how the conversation that Steve Nash and Leandro Barbosa will be having whenever Shaq puts on his new Suns uniform:

Tags: Shaquille O’Neal, Steve Nash, Dwyane Wade, Leandro Barbosa, NBA, youtube, commercials, utube

Shaquille O’Neal has missed over 25% of the Miami Heats’ games this season, and he’s gonna miss the all-star game for the first time in 14 years. All of the people that didn’t like Shaq from jump are finally getting their chance to say I told you so… Yes. 16 years and 4 championships later, you finally told us so.. Since Shaq can’t get on the floor with the Heat, he’s helping another one of his teams off the court.

Halcyon Jets Holdings, Inc. has announced the next initiative in its celebrity-driven branding campaign with a “Team Shaq” appearance of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal at the upcoming Supercar Weekend exhibition of spectacular automobiles and vintage race cars, scheduled for this weekend in West Palm, Florida.

Halcyon will host a VIP reception, highlighted by an appearance by Mr. O’Neal, at the Gramercy Court, on the West Palm Beach waterfront. Mr. O’Neal is the force behind Halcyon’s “Team Shaq” sports and entertainment marketing efforts.

I don’t wanna tell Shaq how to spend his time, but with his injuries and the Heat’s play, partying with airline ballers isn’t a good look. At the same time, he’s looking to lose a grip in the divorce so he’s probably trying to pick up all of the loose change he can.

You’ve never heard of Halcyon Jets unless you’re living the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Their website states “Halcyon Jets represents a refreshing, new approach to luxury executive private jet travel“… Which is the exact opposite claim of any airline I can afford to fly. Hopefully I can get my money right one day so I can see what all the hype’s about. If the flights are good enough to make Carlos Boozer write about them, I wanna try it out.

Halcyon Jets team Shaq. Courtesy of 4 Hoteliers

Tags: Shaquille O’Neal, Miami Heat, NBA, Basketball

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=hsqEcxxQuVs[/youtube]

I can’t think of a better way to kick of the holiday weekend than with cheerleaders.. The Miami Heat cheerleaders to be exact. The ladies are either in Rio or participating in some sorta Rio event, but it really doesn’t matter. The ladies look great.

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=d4VUB2xIPL8[/youtube]

I can never get enough of scantily clad cheerleaders dancing, but I started feeling uneasy after this video.. Maybe it’s the wall of security, maybe it’s the chain link fence, maybe it’s the way the cheerleaders look like they’re being forced to dance, but something didn’t sit right with me. That why I had to go here.

Tags: Miami Heat, Dancers, NBA Cheerleaders, youtube, utube

 **EDITOR’S NOTE** I started working on this post well before Midnight. I got a call from an out of town friend and missed my “daily” Rockets post. I hope this doesn’t have serious repercussions for the Houston Rockets. **END EDITOR’S NOTE**

Let me make one thing clear: I AM A PHILADELPHIA 76ERS FAN. I am only supporting the Houston Rockets in the playoffs because of this post. When the Rockets win the championship or are eliminated from the playoffs, I will revert back to my normal self. There’s no need to email me and call me a traitor or a phony. I ride with my teams do or die and nothing can change that. On to the playoffs….

The Houston Rockets lead the Utah Jazz 3-2: The Rockets don’t take the court again until Thursday night and I can’t wait. I’m feeling Houston closing this series on the road in Utah. I don’t know what would make me feel that way since the H-Town O has been MIA in SLC. I believe that Tracy McGrady is gonna do everything in his power to advance to the second round… as soon as possible. My perfect Thursday scenario: Gabrielle Union comes over to watch the game with me and brings a bottle of JWB (Johnny Walker Black). The Rockets beat Utah and Dallas beats the Warriors giving Houston a little rest before the next series. I know this scenario is highly unlikely… Dallas probably won’t win in Oakland. Positivity time: THE HOUSTON ROCKETS WIN THE SERIES IN 6 GAMES.

The Detroit Pistons over the Orlando Magic 4-0: I was wrong with my prediction for this series. Get used to hearing that. I picked Detroit in 5 for some unknown reason. Orlando was in a tailspin for the last half of the season and they finally crashed in the playoffs. Nothing much to say about this series. It was like watching a varsity-junior varsity scrimmage. The Pistons get the feisty Bulls in the next round. It’s like the 80s all over again. How long til Rasheed says “if Hinrich were black, he’d be just another player” or something to that affect?

The Chicago Bulls over the Miami Heat 4-0: I was wrong with my prediction for this series (I’m not done yet). Don’t laugh too much, I was only off by 3 games with my Miami in 7 pick. The adolescent Bulls dominated this series in the regular and post-season. I know Wade wasn’t 100% but it wasn’t gonna matter. Luol Deng and Ben Gordon provided the offensive punch, Ben Wallace supplied the “D”, and the team as a whole out fought the old and tired Miami Heat. The Bulls’ sweep of the Heat marks the 6th time a Shaquille O’Neal playoff team has been swept to elimination.

The Cleveland Cavaliers over the Washington Wizards 4-0: Guess what? That’s right, my prediction for this series was wrong too. I had Cleveland in 5 even with Arenas and Butler sidelined for the Wiz. I didn’t think the Cavaliers were mentally tough enough to close out any team in 4 games. I was wrong. Even though I watched this series I didn’t learn a whole helluva lot. The Cavs coasted through the series and should make it to the Eastern Conference finals having lost no more than 2 games. Cleveland’s sweep of Washington completed the Central division’s dominance over the Southeast division… A perfect 12-0 record.

The Phoenix Suns lead The Los Angeles Lakers 3-1: I’m right on pace in this series. I picked the Suns in 5 and I’m sticking to it. I knew Kobe would be good for one win and one win only. I’m sure the Lakers’ Mitch Kupchak is trying to figure out a way to trade Andrew Bynum for Jason Kidd before Wednesday’s game. I doubt that would help since the Suns have the most talented top six in the league. Nash, Bell, Marion, Diaw, Stoudamire, and Barbosa are the murderers row of hoops. You could combine a couple of teams and still not have that much talent on your roster. The Pistons have the second best six with Billups, Hamilton, Prince, Wallace, Webber, and McDyess. In comparing the two, which match-up would you say favors Detroit? Sheed over Boris is the only one I see. Another positive for Phoenix: No team that has gotten rid of Shaq has won a playoff series since his departure. Orlando 0-6 and the Lakers soon to be 0-2.

The San Antonio Spurs lead the Denver Nuggets 3-1: I picked San Antonio in 6 so I’m still alive which is more than I can say for Denver. The Nuggets game one victory got everybody pumped.. Unfortunately for the Nuggs everybody included the Spurs. SA doesn’t win pretty.. They don’t get the hype that some of the other teams get.. They’re like the sheep dog in the old school cartoons. They come to work, punch the clock, whoop your ass, and punch out. San Antonio has managed to win 3 games and stay on the good side of the referees.. Kinda.. Denver has been whistled for 71 fouls, San Antonio for 73, but I’ve seen Duncan fouled at least 10 times with no call. Timmy looked so distraught over the lack of calls in game 4 that I thought he might actually brush his hair.

The New Jersey Nets lead the Toronto Raptors 3-2: I’m looking good here. I got New Jerz in 6 even though they shoulda closed this series out in 5. Vince Carter is the male exotic dancer and his fiance to the Raptors fan’s Payton, Cassell, and Caffey. If you don’t follow, the Toronto fans have been abusing Vince. Jason Kidd has been doing his thing, and it’s good to see RJ back in action. I like the Raps team and the direction they’re headed in. GM Bryan Colangelo is as bright as they come. Look at the moves he made with the Phoenix Suns, Tim Thomas and Eddie House, as compared to the moves the Suns made this year, Marcus Banks and Jalen Rose. Bryan’s number one priority is to sign or replace coach Sam Mitchell. If and when the Nets advance I can’t see them getting past Cleveland. Of course, as you can see, I don’t know what the hell I’m talking about.

The Golden State Warriors lead the Dallas Mavericks 3-2: I picked Dallas in 6 games and at this point the Mavs would be lucky to see game 7. The most exciting series in the playoffs has also been a coming out party for Baron Davis and the Warriors fans. BD has averaged 26 points, 5 boards, 5 assist, and 2 steals while the Warriors fans have produced Jessica Alba. The rest of the fans have been outstanding but who cares, Jessica Alba is there…

The Mavericks started the series on a bad note when head coach Avery Johnson decided to start his small lineup to match-up with Golden State. Why is the 1 seed adjusting to the 8? I’m seriously asking you because I can’t figure it out. Nellie and crew need to be given a ton of credit for the defensive scheme they’ve used against Dallas. Putting a smaller, quicker player on Dirk, and then rushing him with double and triple teams from a variety of spots has worked well to this point. So well that people are calling for Dirk to return the MVP trophy that he hasn’t won yet. This really bothers me.

Dirk Nowitzki or Steve Nash are/were the only MVP candidates this year. The MVP is a regular season award. What do Dirk’s playoff successes and failures have to do with the regular season? Nothing. Does anybody hold the fact that Nash is only the second (Kareem 75-76 & 76-77) back to back MVP to not appear in the NBA finals in either year that he won the award? Nope. Nowitzki led his team to 67 wins and now everybody wants to run him out of the league because of a sub-par series against his former coach. What if Steve Nash was going up against a team coached by Mike D’Antoni? I’d have to guess that Mike and his staff would have a good idea of how to create problems for Steve.

I don’t care who wins the MVP trophy, but it seems to me that people are grinding some sort of personal axe against Dirk. People knock him for his style of play and at the same time celebrate Mehmet Okur or the rookie Bargnani for basically playing the same way. I don’t know if it’s because Nowitzki sings Hasslehoff at the free throw line or our country’s past problems with Germany, but this guy takes a lot of flack. If Dirk and the Mavs can find a way to win the series against G. State how many people will give the MVP trophy back to Dirk? I’ll bet zero.

This is why I’m rolling with the Rockets. Courtesy of yours truly

You can take a look at my brackets here. Courtesy of Ball Hype

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