Mike Tyson Says His Biggest Regret Is Not Smoking Weed With Tupac Read More From: www.1HIPHOPUCIT.com Your #1 Website For Hip Hop & Entertainment!

Sports Editor: @NickiBroussard

On Newsstands Now – Purchase Your Copy Here

(HHUCIT Magazine – Sport’s Corner) - The date is Thursday, May 13, 2010. TD Garden, Boston. Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semi-finals. Celtics lead the series 3-2. The final minutes of the 4th quarter wind down as the Boston Celtics pull off one of the biggest upsets (but not really) in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.   Lebron James’ 27 Points on 8/21 shooting, 19 Rebounds, and 10 assist did not come close to matching what Lebron fans had seen all season long.  His demeanor read “I give up,” James immediately snatched off his Cavs jersey before he reached the end of the tunnel to the locker room. 

The big question was would that be the last time Ohio would see Lebron play for the state that raised him, crowned him KING, and the city that thrived off of his national attention? The flood gates of free agency rumors and madness began.

NBA fans followed every NBA Executive move this summer, as the most highly anticipated NBA offseason unfolded.  Among the eligible free agents were Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudamire, and Joe Johnson. 

As Laker fans celebrated a repeat, the rest of the world looked ahead to July 1^st, the first day of NBA free agency.  Teams such as the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and New Jersey Nets romanced these players during private meeting with hopes of finding true love. 

It all played out like a NBA reality TV show, everyone had forgot about the oil leaking in the Gulf during the weeks leading up to “The Decision,”  in which Lebron James told the world and Cleveland in the most unapologetic way –

“This fall I’m going to take my talent to South Beach and join the Miami Heat.” 

We all watched in disbelief.  Miami Heat GM Pat Riley had used his ultra appeal along with the help of his superstar “free agent” Dwayne Wade to romance two more All-Star free agents to South Beach.  Lebron James at point/forward, Chris Bosh at the four, and Dwayne Wade at the two, never mind the fact that Miami had to clear their entire roster to free up cap space, Pat Riley had done the easy part. 

Besides being the most hated man in Cleveland and most of Ohio, New York and Chicago fans took their bitter loss in the free agency madness and for once shared the same likeness -both hating Miami.  Many felt it was bad for basketball. 

It was obvious that during James’ one-hour “The Decision,” special Nike had no parts of that decision.  You didn’t see the normal Nike commercials, or even one swoosh during the entire telecast. 

It’s hard to convince people to “witness” your Batman run for help and turn into Robin.  His brand was changed forever.

It had happened in sports before, with Brett Favre leaving the Packers for the Jets, Alex Rodriguez leaving the Texas Rangers for the Yankees, and even in basketball when Kevin Garnett left Minnesota to join All-Stars Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.  But this was different, Lebron had left the very state that birth him, leaving a very bitter after taste.  It was almost as if Lebron was saying Cleveland you should be thankful I gave you so many memories, but I rather be on someone else’s team (literally). 

It seems that the entire time leading up to free agency, James was only considering leaving Cleveland if he was offered a deal he couldn’t refuse.  Teaming up with Bosh and going to Chicago to join Noah and Rose seems pretty enticing; however, Miami remained the only team that could sign three free agents at max. 

Even after acquiring role players such as Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Mike Miller, and resigning Udonis Haslem Miami still has work ahead.  To put in the words of Bulls Center Joakim Noah

“It’s gonna be real Hollywood down there, but at the end of the day you got to go out there and play.”

My very premature NBA predictions:

Western Conference Champions:

The LA Lakers are out for a three peat in Phil Jackson’s last run at coaching.  Expect nothing short of greatness.  Kobe and Company finally have the motivation they need to play like the champions they are all season long. 

Eastern Conference Champions: 

Things have got really interesting in the off season out East.  The Chicago Bulls are looking like the Chicago Jazz with the acquisitions of Carlos Boozer, Ronnie Brewer, and Kyle Kover joining a young and talented roster including All-Star point guard Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah.

The Celtics are essentially bringing back the same set of players that made it to the Finals minus Rasheed Wallace who retired after this past season. 

The Hawks resigned Joe Johnson for an insane amount of money, let’s hope they go deep in the playoffs for the sake of someone’s front office job. 

That leaves us with the new “Big Three” in Miami.  On paper they look good enough to win a few championships; however Kobe Bryant is still a Laker and Phil Jackson has not retired yet. 

In the NFL the most significant move in the offseason was Eagles’ 12 year veteran QB Donovan McNabb to the Washington Redskins. McNabb will be the star in Mike Shanahan’s movie this season; however, the big question is will McNabb be able to add wins with a mediocre offensive line, and his injury prone, aging body?  McNabb has played a full season in just one of the past six years due to injuries. 

In the AFC the Ravens are favored to be in Dallas come February since bringing on three-time Pro Bowl WR Anquan Boldin from the Arizona Cardinals.  The Ravens, who advanced to the second round of the AFC playoffs last year will look for QB Joe Flacco, and MLB Ray Lewis to lead the Ravens pass the defending AFC Champion Indianapolis Colts led by Payton Manning. 

The Colts show no signs of slowing down, winning at least 12 games each season since 2003.  The New York Jets were busy in the offseason.  This Jets team is under the radar but could easily beat any of the top teams in the AFC.   The defensive toughness of the Jets in addition to acquiring veteran RB LaDainian Tomlinson, CB Antonia Cromartie, DE Jason Taylor, and first round pick Kyle Wilson are an AFC contender for sure. 

In the NFC look for the Minnesota Vikings to come back strong with a big “IF” Brett Favre returns for a final season.  Favre went through surgery for a knee injury he suffered during the NFC championship game where they lost in overtime to the Saints. 

The Vikings are essentially bringing back the same core, in addition to backup RB in dynamic draftee Toby Gerhart of Stanford.  The 2010-2011 NFL Season Kicks off on September 9 when the Minnesota Vikings take on the defending champion New Orleans Saints at the Superdome. 

My preseason picks for the NFL:

AFC Champions:

Baltimore Ravens have made solid playoff runs the past two years, can they finally get over the hump and make it back to the Super Bowl since their title in 2000?

NFC Champions:

Minnesota Vikings should be back this season for revenge after their devastating loss to the Saints in overtime last season.  Look for RB Adrian Peterson, WR Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin to make major contributions to the final chapter of Brett Favre’s legacy.

HHUCIT Magazine Feature: Nicole’s Sports Corner – Fall 2010 Read More From: www.1HIPHOPUCIT.com Your #1 Website For Hip Hop & Entertainment!

In the fall of 1993, in his prime and at the summit of the sports world, Michael Jordan walked away from pro basketball. After leading the Dream Team to an Olympic gold medal in 1992 and taking the Bulls to their third consecutive NBA championship the following year, Jordan was jolted by the murder of his father. Was it the brutal loss of such an anchor in his life that caused the world’s most famous athlete to rekindle a childhood ambition by playing baseball? Or some feeling that he had nothing left to prove or conquer in basketball? Or something deeper and perhaps not yet understood? Ron Shelton, a former minor leaguer who brought his experiences to life in the classic movie “Bull Durham,” will revisit Jordan’s short career in the minor leagues and explore the motivations that drove the world’s most competitive athlete to play a new sport in the relative obscurity of Birmingham, Alabama, for a young manager named Terry Francona.

The sports world of the nineties began with Michael Jordan’s transcendent dominance of pro basketball. Leading the Chicago Bulls to three successive championships from 1991 through 1993, he became not just an icon in the U.S., but all over the world. He was bigger than basketball, bigger than sports.

But, in 1993, two occurrences in his life altered the course of his unparalleled career. First, was the revelation that Jordan loved to gamble. Second, on July 23, 1993, was the roadside murder of his father in North Carolina. Then, that fall, clearly and deeply shaken, Jordan shocked the sports world by announcing he was quitting basketball, and soon thereafter decided to pursue a career in baseball.

In early 1994, he signed with the Chicago White Sox and in March was assigned to the Double-A Birmingham Barons. Some in the sports media attacked him but his new team-mates embraced him. He played cards with the guys, took the road trips, worked hard and showed up every day as if he were making a few hundred a week like everyone else.

After that one long, inglorious season, Jordan quit baseball and rejoined the Bulls in March of 1995. Now 32 years old and rusty, some questioned whether he would regain his greatness. He responded by leading Chicago to the best regular-season record in NBA history in the 1995–96 campaign and three more consecutive championships.

At a personal level, I’ve always felt that this chapter in Jordan’s life was misunderstood. Instead of being an exercise of his ego, it was quite the opposite. The press and public never allowed him to have that moment, that year away to pursue his own dream. Also, as a former professional baseball player who labored for several years, grinding up the ladder one bloody notch at a time, I have a unique appreciation for how difficult this world is. The bus rides, the lack of days off, the daily routine of it all can be brutal. Pitchers are wild, lights are bad, and injuries are a daily occurrence. There’s nothing like this in sports history: The greatest player of all time in one sport submits himself to the gauntlet that mere mortal athletes have to go through daily.

Having failed, his return to the NBA is all the more remarkable, and a testament not only to his talent but his enormous will.

ESPN 30 For 30: Michael Jordan – Talks Father’s Death & Baseball [FULL EPISODE] Read More From: www.1HIPHOPUCIT.com Your #1 Website For Hip Hop & Entertainment!

All signs continue to point toward the eventual divorce between Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets.

League sources say it is now a matter of when, not if, Anthony and the Nuggets will go their separate ways.

Anthony is weighing whether to sign a three-year, $65 million extension offered by the Nuggets. His dilemma, league sources say, is what affords him the best chance of continuing his career elsewhere. Anthony could sign with Denver and convince the team to then trade him. His other option would be to not sign the extension, thereby forcing the team to move him rather than risk losing him next summer as a free agent.

During his annual basketball camp in Colorado on Saturday, Anthony said he had no timetable on when he’ll decide whether to sign the extension.

In either case, “he’s going to make it real clear that he’s not coming back,” said one league source.

But both Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke and Anthony already are well aware that they don’t have a future together, sources say. That became clear to Kroenke at a reception after Anthony’s July 11 nuptials to La La Vasquez in Manhattan.

A series of toasts at the wedding reception, initiated by New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul, suggested Anthony leave Denver for the New York Knicks. Paul suggested it playfully, one source said, but subsequent guests — including Knicks power forward Amare Stoudemire and Anthony’s brother, Robert — made the point more forcefully.

Then Kroenke stood up to give a toast and the room was filled with an awkward silence, one wedding guest said. Kroenke tried to make light of the situation by suggesting Paul could come to Denver but that elicited no response.

While Anthony stood and applauded Kroenke when he was recognized, he apparently did nothing to discourage or dismiss the suggestions that he should leave the Nuggets.

“There were other people saying, ‘We’re going to get you guys together,’ but it doesn’t become a runaway train if Melo says something,” said one source. “Maybe he didn’t perpetuate it, but tell people to stop or say, ‘Stan, I’m sorry.’ He didn’t do any of that.”

Paul has since met with Hornets management and appears less eager to leave New Orleans, but all the signals from Anthony are that he would like to be in a different uniform this season.

Wedding signals included.

Anthony’s agent, Leon Rose, could not be reached for comment and the Nuggets declined to comment.

Tracy McGrady Signs With The Detroit Pistons

DETROIT – Tracy McGrady has agreed to a one-year, $1.35 million contract with the Detroit Pistons, a source told ESPN.com.

McGrady played in just 30 games last season for the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks. He had major surgery on his right knee in the middle of the 2008-09 season.

The seven-time All-Star and two-time scoring champion drew some interest from the Chicago Bulls this summer.

Bulls vice president of basketball operations John Paxson told “The Waddle & Silvy Show” on ESPN 1000 that McGrady had “a very good workout” for the team, but didn’t fit with the Bulls’ plans.

“He’s a good guy. But we just felt that given where we’re at, and the way we want to play, we do want to be more of an up-tempo team on the offensive end. We want to run and push the ball,” Paxson said.

“It was more based on the youth of our team and where we’re at. He’ll do well. Tracy looked like he was just going to turn the corner physically,” he said.

The 6-foot-8 wing averaged 8.2 points last season, his lowest-scoring season since 1997-98, when he was a rookie with the Toronto Raptors after skipping college. Just two years ago, though, he averaged 21-plus points for the eighth time in his career.

If McGrady accepts his role, likely as a reserve, he could prove to be a bargain playing for the veteran’s minimum even if he doesn’t approach his career scoring average of 21.5 points.

“I’ve made a lot of money over my career and I could retire right now and I could be fine financially,” McGrady said in February after he was traded by the Rockets to the Knicks while making $23 million in the last year of his contract. “My kids can be fine when they get older. Money is not an issue for me.”

McGrady, who is from Bartow, Fla., was drafted No. 9 overall in the 1997 draft by Toronto. He went to Orlando in a sign-and-trade deal in 2000 and was dealt four years later to Houston.

His last healthy season was five years ago. He missed 34 games during the 2005-06 season with back problems; elbow and knee injuries led to him missing 16 games two years later; and microfracture surgery put his career in jeopardy about 1½ years ago.

If he’s relatively healthy, happy and effective for the Pistons, McGrady will provide a boost for a team that missed the playoffs this year for the first time since 2001 with its worst record since 1995.

Carmelo Anthony Ready To Leave Denver For NY + Tracy McGrady Signs With Detroit Read More From: www.1HIPHOPUCIT.com Your #1 Website For Hip Hop & Entertainment!

Miami Heat Forward Udonis Haslem Arrested For Marijuana Possession Read More From: www.1HIPHOPUCIT.com Your #1 Website For Hip Hop & Entertainment!

Don’t blame LeBron James for leaving Cleveland. Don’t fit him for a ring yet, either.

That was the message at the Hall of Fame on Friday, where James’ move to Miami was a topic among this year’s induction class.

With James joining Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the Heat have become a title favorite. But Karl Malone is sticking with the reigning champions, and Scottie Pippen isn’t even sure Miami will reach the NBA Finals.

“I would say this: With the guys they got, they’re going to be a hell of a team,” Malone said of the Heat. “I pick the Lakers.”

Malone also joked that former coach and current ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy “must have had some red wine that night, a lot of it,” when he predicted recently that the Heat could break Chicago’s record of 72 wins set in 1995-96.

Pippen, who played on that team, said the Heat need to start with smaller expectations.

“I’d like to see them win a championship first,” he said.

James was criticized for deciding to announce his free agency decision during an ESPN special, rather than inform the Cavaliers and his other suitors himself. Pippen agreed that wasn’t the best choice, but said there was nothing wrong with him leaving Ohio.

“I don’t know what all the grief was about,” Pippen said. “No fans, no organization, no one can decide what a free agent can do or should do or where he’s going to go, and there’s no reason for anyone to hold a grudge against LeBron for making that decision.”

Oscar Robertson also defended James, saying the free agents were just taking advantage of the “Oscar Robertson Rule.” Robertson, as president of the NBA Players Association, filed a class-action lawsuit against the league and its teams that the league settled in 1976, removing a team’s option to keep a player for life and opening the door for unrestricted free agency.

Malone spent nearly his entire career in Utah before joining a powerful Lakers team that had Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant for a last-ditch run at a title in 2003-04. So he wasn’t going to criticize James for bolting Cleveland for a better shot on a better team — though he didn’t care for the way it was done, either.

“That’s his decision. My decision, when I left Utah, I went to L.A. to win a championship and had an opportunity,” Malone said. “Him leaving, that’s him. I don’t know what to tell you. The way it went down, I’m not into that.”

Malone ended up getting hurt and the Lakers fell short, and he warns that injuries could get in the Heat’s way. Pippen, meanwhile, thinks Miami’s size could be a problem.

“There are a couple of teams in the East that they’re going to have to contend with, that they’re going to have matchup problems with,” Pippen said. “You think of Boston, Orlando. I don’t see anybody that they can get to run up and down the court with [Dwight] Howard right now and that’s a game changer.”

Malone said the Lakers also got better over the summer with the additions of Matt Barnes and Steve Blake. While admitting he’s biased, he believes they will win a third in a row.

“As long as you’ve got Kobe on that team,” Malone said, “and Derek Fisher on that team and Pau Gasol and coach [Phil] Jackson and his staff, I’m picking the Lakers.”

NBA Legends Charles Barkley – Scottie Pippen & More Weigh In On LeBron James’ “Decision” [VIDEO] Read More From: www.1HIPHOPUCIT.com Your #1 Website For Hip Hop & Entertainment!

Shaquille O’Neal’s Press Conference With The Boston Celtics Read More From: www.1HIPHOPUCIT.com Your #1 Website For Hip Hop & Entertainment!

If you’ve never read David Halberstam’s “Playing for Keeps” or Sam Smith’s “The Jordan Rules” — both about the 1990s Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan, duh, and both essential — then you might not know how much Michael Jordan hated Scottie Pippen early in their careers.

Jordan realized Pippen’s immense talent, maybe even before Pippen did, and seeing Scottie’s inability to mold and develop those game-changing skills infuriated Jordan. He saw Pippen as mentally weak, soft and basically a disappointment. Then Scottie Pippen became one of the best players in the NBA, the Bulls won titles and Jordan accepted Pippen as a legit superstar, forming a bond the two would have through the rest of their lives. That’s a YertNotes version of the Jordan and Pippen saga, but that’s the gist of it and you’re the one who didn’t read two of the best basketball books ever written. Deal with it.

Anyhow, now that we’re all hip to the history behind the greatest duo of the 1990s, we can talk about how cool it is that Jordan will be giving the introduction speech for Pippen’s Hall of Fame induction this Friday. Hint: it’s George Clooney cool.

From NBA.com’s perilously named Adam Fluck:

“I can’t think of a better person to do it,” said Pippen on Monday. “Michael is someone I shared my career with, accomplishing most of what I have accomplished thus far. He was a great teammate, teacher and admirer. I’m excited to have an opportunity to be the first person that he has presented into the Hall of Fame. I figure if anyone deserves to be on the stage with me, it’s him.” [...]

Pippen said Jordan was “thrilled and overwhelmed” by the invitation. [...]

“I had other guys that I thought about, but Michael was by far the obvious choice and an easy one for me to make,” said Pippen.

So perfect, you guys. Like Scottie said, it’s “by far the obvious choice” and an “easy one,” but it’s still the right one. So happy.

It’s just good on so many levels. Pippen finally getting his moment in the spotlight and being honored by Jordan after years of being the second fiddle is really, really cool. I wish there were a more eloquent way I could say this, but the 7-year-old me is freaking out right now, and the 26-year-old version isn’t reacting much differently. Totally radical, dude.

Of course, with Jordan returning to the scene of his final score-settling there’s a little danger in giving him the microphone first so he can bust like a bubble. But honestly, I don’t see that being a problem. Even when Jordan was taking shots at each and every person who ever wronged him at any point in his life, he had nothing but kind words for Pippen. Scottie’s a guy he really cares for, and if his heartfelt performance when the Bulls honored Johnny “Red” Kerr is any indication of how he’ll act Friday, then this will go smoothly. I’m not even that worried about Jordan wearing mom jeans. I’ll let it slide this time.

Seriously, guys, Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan sharing a stage. They’re great. That’s great. Great.

Michael Jordan Will Deliver Scottie Pippen’s Induction Speech Into The NBA Hall of Fame [VIDEO] Read More From: www.1HIPHOPUCIT.com Your #1 Website For Hip Hop & Entertainment!

President Barack Obama Hoops With Dwayne Wade – LeBron James – Derrick Rose & More Read More From: www.1HIPHOPUCIT.com Your #1 Website For Hip Hop & Entertainment!

The 7-foot-1, 325-pound center in the twilight of a brilliant career is coming to the Eastern Conference champions, hoping to add to his four NBA titles.

O’Neal signed a two-year contract worth about $3 million on Wednesday, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said on condition of anonymity because no details were released.

So this is where Shaq’s colorful career will end after 20 seasons if he completes his contract with the Celtics.

One of the NBA’s most charismatic players will finish with a legendary franchise on the parquet floor beneath 17 championship banners and the retired numbers of Bill Russell, Larry Bird, John Havlicek and other NBA greats.

After receiving little interest from other teams, O’Neal will play on that floor with Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, Boston’s Big Three since Garnett and Allen arrived before the 2007-08 season

From the first pick in the 1992 draft out of Louisiana State to dominant, rim-rattling inside force to complementary player, O’Neal’s NBA travels have taken him to six teams and 15 All-Star games. He is the fifth-leading scorer with 28,255 points and 14th in rebounds with 12,921 in league history. He’s averaged 24.1 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks and was the NBA MVP in 2000.

His foul shooting might still be a problem and his lumbering style could slow down a running game, but the Celtics need the big center because Kendrick Perkins is out, possibly until February, following knee surgery. Perkins was hurt in Game 6 of the NBA finals against Los Angeles and missed the Lakers’ 83-79 win in Game 7.

“If we get to another Game 7 down the line, I’m sure we will be glad we have Shaq on the team,” Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck said.

The team considered too old by some, despite nearly winning the title, has decided to rely for two more years on a group of 30-plus stars, all likely headed for the Hall of Fame.

O’Neal, 38, joins Pierce, 32, Garnett, 34, and Allen, 35. The Celtics also signed free agent center Jermaine O’Neal, 31 — a six-time All-Star — after the season.

All five are signed for two seasons, except Pierce, who has four years left on the deal he signed after the season. Point guard Rajon Rondo, 24, also is in the fold for four more years.

“I am honored to be joining the Celtics,” Shaq said in a statement issued by the club. “I have played against Paul, Ray, Kevin, Rajon, and Jermaine for many years and it will be great to be able to call them my teammates. I cannot wait to get to Boston to get started in pursuit of another championship.”

The Celtics won their NBA-high 17th championship in 2008.

“It is not every day that you can add a player of Shaquille’s caliber to your team,” Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said in the statement. “His past experience speaks for itself and we believe that he is a great fit for our roster.”

Not far from where the Celtics play, another large figure on the Boston sports scene spread the news.

“Hey, they signed Shaq here,” David “Big Papi” Ortiz said out loud in the Red Sox clubhouse after taking batting practice at Fenway Park before the game with the Cleveland Indians.

Just which of the two O’Neals will start at center remains uncertain with Perkins recovering from surgery for torn ligaments in his right knee.

“I am very excited,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “Adding a player like Shaq is a major plus and it fills a void for our team. He’s a real nice piece of the puzzle and he will complement us in where we want to go this coming season.”

O’Neal has won three championships with the Lakers along with his latest, in 2006, with Miami when he was teammates with Dwyane Wade.

The Cleveland Cavaliers signed O’Neal before last season, hoping he could help LeBron James win his first title. O’Neal averaged a career-low 12.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 53 games, and the Cavaliers lost the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Celtics in six games.

In his last game, O’Neal had 11 points and 4 rebounds in a 94-85 loss in Boston.

That’s where he’s scheduled to begin his next season in a marquee matchup on Oct. 26 against the Miami Heat with James, Wade and Chris Bosh.

On Tuesday, O’Neal sounded unsure if he would ever play another NBA game after a difficult offseason of uncertainty.

“For me, it’s been a real thinking process,” he said in Orlando. “I came into the league very graciously and want to go out very graciously. My main thought was I would like to play for a winning franchise, somebody that’s used to winning, somebody that keeps winning. Hopefully, I’ll make my decision here in the next one or two days.”

Now it’s been made. He will wear No. 36 in Boston.

Shaquille O’Neal Has Officially Signed To The Boston Celtics [VIDEO] Read More From: www.1HIPHOPUCIT.com Your #1 Website For Hip Hop & Entertainment!