Taking Requests at Nike & Reebok Camps

3 07 2007

Lebron_nikeOn Friday I'm loading up the truck and heading out with a colleague to the LeBron James US Skills Academy in Akron, Ohio. After a few days there, we'll head to Rbk U in Philadelphia. Below is a list of the New Jersey and New Jersey-related players at both events. If there are certain players you would like updates on, let us know and we'll try our best to provide them...I'll also be writing a continuing series of stories on the summer camps over the next few days and weeks so stay tuned.

We did a brief check of the Top 20 players on the Rivals 150 for the Class of 2008 and 12 of them were at the Nike Academies and will presumably be at LeBron, three are headed to Rbk U and one is likely headed to the adidas Take 5ive Tournament in Cincinnati. Anyone know the whereabouts of Ty Walker, Tyler Zeller, Kenny Kadji or DeAndre Liggins?

REEBOK UNIVERSITY

Among the NATIONAL players expected to attend are Brandon Jennings of Lakewood, Ca., considered the top PG in the Class of 2008; 6-9 F Renardo Sidney of Jackson, MS; 6-5 William Buford of Toledo, Ohio; 6-5 Malcolm Lee of Moreno Valley, Calif.; and 6-11 J'Mison Morgan of Dallas. All of these players attended Reebok ABCD Camp in 2006.

TravonPlayers of local interest expected to attend include Rutgers commits Mike Rosario of St. Anthony and Olu Ashaolu of Humble Life Center; Pitt commits Travon Woodall of Paterson and St. Anthony (left) and Ashton Gibbs of Seton Hall Prep; and Fordham-bound G Jio Fontan, also of St. Anthony. St. Anthony senior guard Tyshawn Taylor and junior guard Dominic Cheek, who may end up being the highest-recruited player in Bob Hurley's tenure, will also be in Philly. That's five players from St. Anthony who will be on hand.

Among the players being recruited by Rutgers and/or Seton Hall who will be in Philly are  Christian Morris, a Rutgers big man target from the South Kent (Conn.) School; Kevin Jones of Mount Vernon (N.Y.) High, whom Jordan Theodore said he is trying to bring into Seton Hall; and Mookie Jones of Peekskil (N.Y.) High, who is being recruited by RU; St. Patrick big man Quintrell Thomas, a target of both New Jersey schools; and Sean Kilpatrick of the Westchester Hawks, a Seton Hall target.

LeBRON JAMES US SKILLS ACADEMY

As previously reported in the HN, Seton Hall-bound guard Jordan Theodore and St. Patrick guard Dexter Strickland are going to LeBron, as are Samardo_courtesy_scout St. Benedict's big men Samardo Samuels (left) and Greg Echenique.




You can’t spell LeBron James without MC M…

3 07 2007
Bron Bron: a rapper?



Tawdry Entertainment (and Sports) Coverage Could Disappear From the Web FOREVER!!

29 06 2007

lebron-james-dribble.JPG

“There is a subtle, but significant shift, in the networks’ news agenda as they make the transition from pure television broadcasters to multi-platform providers of video news,” writes the Tyndall Report, which spends every waking hour analyzing broadcast news programming. “The shift is dictated not by journalistic judgment but by the demands of the media. It presages a future of diminishing coverage of a pair of favorite feature beats.”

Um, where is this going? We had no idea either, until the second graph, which says this: News programs’ sports stories are not appearing online.

Huh-What-Huh?

We know, it’s terrifying stuff, but Tyndall has some evidence to back it up: Even though CBS had a reporter covering the a House committee’s hearings on “the shortfall of disability coverage for former NFL athletes” and ABC had a reporter covering the murder-suicide of WWE wrestler Chris Benoit, his wife, and their 7-year-old son … none of that coverage made it to the web.

It’s not what you assumed — that is, the news programs aren’t just being lazy. Their lawyers, however, are on high alert. Because copyright doesn’t allow the transfer of intellectual property from one medium to another (who knew?!), the news programs fear any use of, say, showing an online clip of Benoit in the ring wearing some Lyrca outfit that came from TV.

Which means, says Tyndall, that entertainment coverage is also suffering the same fate, since networks can’t (or don’t have the resources to) clear copyrights with the footage they show in their TV broadcast.

All of which we call bullshit on: Fair use is fair use.

And also: The day crappy entertainment coverage stops infecting our web browser will be the day we believe this scenario plausible.




Will Kobayashi be able to wolf dogs on the Fourth?

28 06 2007
It's like Tiger Woods tearing his rotator cuff, or LeBron James blowing out his knee. Takeru Kobayashi, the six-time defending Nathan's hot dog eating champion, received a chilling diagnosis: Jaw pain that limits how far he can open his mouth.



‘Ultramarathon Man’ Dean Karnazes up for an ESPY Award

28 06 2007
Perhaps you've heard about the ESPY's, the ESPN awards for athletes with salaries larger than the GNP of 70% of the world's economies. However, you know when you've made it when you get the ESPY nomination for Outdoor Athlete, it's the pinnacle for which we all strive. Imagine Dean sitting next to LeBron James. I mean wtf do they talk about?



James Will Play

27 06 2007
Lebron James has decided to honor his commitment to the US national basketball team.



LeBron James Putting Akron, Ohio on the Map Olympic Style

27 06 2007
Young LeBron James NBA rookie record setter and local hero, is going for the gold again in by playing with the U.S. national team in next month's FIBA America's Tournament, to attempt to qualify for the 2008 Olympics. If successful this will be the second trip to the Olympics for this young superstar, he participated in the 2004 games and sports a



Mid-lake Wednesday

27 06 2007
Happy Hump-day to all. Hopefully you aren't currently being effected by the heavy rains here in N. Texas. I know that things are not good right now in Hood county so do your best to stay out of harms way. But I am not here to depress you with weather talk.....on to something we would rather think about.....


A Baseball Team that is suddenly fun to watch
Texas has now won 2 stright against the defending AL champs sending Kam Loe and reliever Willie Eyre to the hill....I know that Kam went 7 strong and had great stuff a few nights ago, but I find nothing wrong at all with the 4 and 2/'s that Eyre tossed in his 1st big league start. He would have gone even longer had he not been drilled in the wrist by a line drive off the bat of Polanco in the 5th. When a guy has shined in middle relief like he has....at one point this year with 14 plus innings of consecutive scoreless work....and just giving up 3 runs off 3 hits in nearly 5IP....I think that might deserve another spot start if his wrist is up to it.


The pitching has been better of late. That is why Texas has won 9 of their last 12 and 6 of their last 7....and my goodeness this thing is fun to watch. The last few nights I have found myself not wondering what is on HBO or the History Channel....instead I have been watching inspired ball.

One of the leaders of that inspiration is Marlon Byrd who once again had a great night capping things off with a huge 2 run triple in the 9th.....I love what we are seeing from Gerald Laird behind the plate and how he has handled the pitching in recent weeks....this Travis Metcalf has a little something....Ramon Vasquez can be productive in spots, and it seems that Jerry Hairston Jr. can spell Lofton on most nights and it's no big drop off....

Even though I realize this is still not a good team there are a few parts I wouldn't mind keeping around for a while.....this thing is fun right now....
The bullpen was solid again last night aside from an off night by Aki Otsuka allowing 3 in the 8th to tie things up....But it was great to see Eric Gagne get a big save against a great hitting club....and showing him off to contenders....
Today Texas tries for their 4th straight series win and they will do it against former Ranger great Kenny Rogers who is making his 2nd start since coming off the DL....he will be facing Millwood who has been better so it should be another must tune in night at the SeaBass house via TiVo...

Keep the Trade Rumors coming....

This story has been a nice distraction the past few days, especially when the Mavs do not have a 1st round pick and 3 - 2's.....We have all kicked around the idea of what it would take to get KG in Dallas...It would be nice but this is not going to happen, although one not so credible source proves that it's easy to float a rumor out there....

Apparently KG to LA has cooled off a bit and the Suns are back in the mix....which would absolutely suck for Dallas, but at the same time I wouldn't mind seeing Amare sent to up to Minn....

The draft is one day away and as promised I will give you a handfull of guys that I have seen linked to the Mavies in some mock drafts....

Gabe Pruitt out of USC

Marc Gasol Spanish brother of Paul Gasol

Alando Tucker
out of Wisc. (Bob would love this)


Demitrius Nichols from the Cuse

There is just a few I found....If the Mavs had an actual 1st round pick it would be a lot easier to find more mocks....not everyone produces a 2nd round in their predictions...Hopefully Dallas can package picks and maybe a player to trade up into round 1....Be sure to Listen toNorm and Skin on the Ticket....they do a helluva job with it....


This Guy cheated along with Jimmie Johnson.....
And Nascar is not too happy with them.....I really don't care too much, but i know alot of people love them some Nascar and I might as well mention it.....


I don't know why this is even an issue these days....Every American bad-ass we have in the NBA should want to stop the international embarrassment our country has suffered the past few years on the court. Thank you for doing what you are expected to do....and lay off the Sprite.


Now it's time for me to get ready to roll out and head to work, but I leave you with more good music today....I am a N. Texas grad attending school up in Denton, Tx and I had a chance to discover this band while living there and they havce gone on to bigger and better.....And I think they are awesome.....I give you Midlake.....










NBA | James to play for U.S. team

27 06 2007
LeBron James will wear the red, white and blue this summer after all. Cleveland's All-Star guard ended uncertainty about his status with...



Father of MAXIMUS to play for Team USA

27 06 2007
LeBron James announces he'll play for Team USA in next months FIBA America's Tournament