Justin Bieber and Justin Timberlake- Celebrity Fans of The NBA In Los Angeles

Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber

The Stars are shining brightly in Los Angeles these days!

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers are in the semi-final round of the Western Conference playoffs. Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum lead their team against Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, former Laker Derek Fisher and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin will face Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli and the San Antonio Spurs.  Star Power indeed!

Kobe Bryant and Justin Timberlake

What's beautiful about Los Angeles is the star power isn't limited to the court. In fact, NBA games in Los Angeles feature more star power off the court, than on.  Some of the biggest names in entertainment enjoy watching the Lakers and Clippers in Los Angeles.

2012 NBA Western Conference Playoffs, "It's A Man's World, But...

                             .... it wouldn’t be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl”

The NBA Western Conference semi-finals is indeed a man’s world. Truly some of the biggest names and superstars in the NBA will battle for supremacy of the NBA Western Conference.

                                         

Semi-final #1 :

Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum matching up against Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka, not to mention ex-Laker Derek Fisher.

                                             

Semi-final #2 :

San Antonio Spurs Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli vs. Los Angeles Clippers Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and growing legend Reggie Evans.

                                 


Speaking of legends, the legendary James Brown reminded us way back when:

                                              “This is a man’s world, this is a man’s world
                                  But it wouldn’t be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl”


Having said that, here’s a photo tribute to the women that will be inspiring the Spurs, Thunder, Laker and Clipper players and fans during the 2012 NBA Western Conference playoffs:

Los Angeles Clippers Spirit

Los Angeles Laker Girls

Oklahoma City Thunder Girls

Silver Spurs Dancers

Will Tiger Woods Avoid “The Big Miss” at TPC Sawgrass?

“The Big Miss” was the first thought that came to mind as Tiger Woods missed the cut last week at the Wells Fargo Championship. To his credit it’s only the 8th time in his professional career that he’s missed the cut.  Woods looks to put last week behind him at The Players Championship starting today in Pointe Verde, Florida. TPC Sawgrass with it’s par-3 17th hole, featuring an island green, is one of the scariest holes on tour.

Woods tees off today with playing partners Hunter Mahan and Rickie Fowler (winner of last week’s Wells Fargo Championship) at TPC Sawgrass. The field also includes Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald  (battling for #1 world ranking, in an interesting sub-plot) and too many others to name. Woods, hopefully will make the cut, and play through the weekend.

Did I really just type the words, ‘Woods, hopefully will make the cut?’  Since 1997, Woods has dominated the world of golf, both on and off the course.   In 2007, I traveled  to Torrey Pines to watch Woods play  at The Buick Invitational (now known as The Farmers Insurance Open).  I’ll never forget his commanding presence, his aura,  the way the field withered, not to mention his shot-making ability. Of course, Tiger won the event and left me in awe of his talents on the golf course. That was then, this is now. Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, pretty much all the  players on tour, now look forward to playing  Woods and winning against him.

Which brings me to Hank Haney-Tiger’s swing coach from 2004-2010. Haney has authored a new book entitled ‘The Big Miss: My Years Coaching Tiger Woods’.  I haven’t read the book, Reportedly,  it’s Haney’s first person account of his life with Tiger Woods. What a life on the golf course the relationship produced. Tiger won six majors with Haney as his swing coach.  The famous 2008 U.S. Open one-legged win at Torrey Pines in a Monday playoff against Rocco Mediate, was and is my favorite. Once again-that was then, this is now. Does Haney know Tiger Woods than even Tiger is comfortable admitting?

Sure, Woods has one win this season, at Bay Hill, breaking a 30-month drought. However, his performance in the tournaments since, at The Masters and last week at Wells Fargo, leaves one wondering. Woods attributes it to “combo-platter” swing issues. Old habits learned from Haney , in combination with new techniques taught by current swing coach Sean Foley. Just writing that is confusing, imagine trying to play golf like that. It seems Tiger Woods is experiencing the same feeling on the golf course.

I miss the days of Tiger, Stevie (Steve Williams) and Hank Haney. I miss the days of what it used to mean when Tiger had an outright or share of the lead after 54 holes. I miss the fist-pumps.  I miss the entertaining Tiger commercials.  I miss Tiger Woods being the #1 player in the world. What I miss most is the conversation about when Tiger would win his 18th and 19th major. The question now is- Will Tiger win a 15th ?   Does Hank Haney “miss” those days too?  Is that what “The Big Miss” is about?

Sure, Tiger Woods is only human. To his credit, he’s moved forward, and is giving it all he’s got. At times this year Woods shot-making has been brilliant.  I’m looking forward to an exciting Players Championship this weekend.  Wouldn’t  be nice if Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy and Woods on Sunday, are making a hard charge on the back-nine. Follow the action live at http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboards/current/r011/ Hopefully starting with TPC, Tiger’s performance renders “The Big Miss” as an insightful read,  as opposed to a post-mortem on one of the most fascinating sports careers of our time.

Duke's Lindy Duncan and Dan Brooks Win ACC Player & Coach Of The Year

The awards continue to pile up for the Duke Women’s Golf Team. Lindy Duncan, the #1 golfer in the country, was named The Atlantic Coast Conference Player of The Year.  Head Coach Dan Brooks, was voted by his peers, to be the 2012 Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of The Year.

Brooks has coached his teams to 112 victories in his 28 years at Duke - a NCAA Division I record. This year the Duke women won two tournaments, including the 2012 ACC Tournament. In addition, for the 13th  straight year, two members of the Duke squad were named to the All-ACC squad - Lindy Duncan and Laetitia Beck.

What a standout year for Ms. Duncan! She has four victories and eight top-ten placements in eight tournaments. Duncan leads the ACC with a 70.71 scoring average, on pace to set a new single-season record.

Next up - Duke will travel to State College, Pa., to compete in the 2012 NCAA East Regional on May 10 - 12. Penn State plays host at the 6253-yard, par 72 Penn State Blue Course. Duke tee times are as follows:

Round 1 - Thursday, May 10th at 8:36 a.m. Eastern off No. 1

Round 2 - Friday, May 11th at  12:56 p.m. Eastern off No. 10

The action can be followed live by visiting www.GoDuke.com

Mariano Rivera - Is This The End?

Yankees fans worldwide, or at least this Yankee fan,  has one thought today-has the career of Mariano Rivera come to an end?

The news of Mariano Rivera tearing his ACL while catching fly-balls as part of his pre-game routine, was shocking. Yes, talk of this being Rivera's last year has been circling, but this is only May, quite a few months left to enjoy the 'Sandman', right? After yesterday, wrong.  Just like that,  the Yankee organization and fans have to adjust to a different Yankee team.

Rivera and Derek Jeter are the last of the Big 3 or Big 4 if you want to count Andy Pettitte, that have been Yankee fixtures since 1996. As much as i respect and enjoy Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera has been nothing short of incredible to me. How many times have we all said, jut get us to the 9th and we'll be ok? The Mariano Rivera cutter has been as dominant a pitch as there is in MLB.  Even Rivera's intro music-'Metallica's Sandman' is legendary. The legend may have come to end.

Shocking! In the world of sports,  it seems almost every day we all wake up to the newest shocking, or unexpected story.  These last few days have been no exception.  Talk about not knowing what you have until it's gone...

Ok, so this does open up an opportunity.

Truthfully, not in the mood to go there yet. right now a bit numb pondering....

Mariano Rivera-Is This The End?

The Kim Kardashian Effect

Today’s announcement that Kim Kardashian will adorn the cover of the new beauty book ‘Face to Face’ authored by Scott Barnes, truly caught my attention. How does Ms. Kardashian continue to galvanize the attention of the media (yes, including yours truly) and the public alike?






I’ve decided the answer must be -The Kim Kardashian Effect....

Dash Boutique

ShoeDazzle
















Virgins Saints and Angels Jewelry line

Kim Kardashian Fragrances

…and of course the family reality show(s), are but (yes- pun intended) a few of the many ventures Kim Kardashian is involved with. Speaking of involved, the continual back-story (yes -pun intended again) of whom Ms. Kardashian is romantically linked with, is basically headline news. In other words……

The Kim Kardashian Effect

Has anyone ever monetized their assets (ok- last pun intended) at the level of Ms. Kardashian? Despite the anti-Kardashian sentiment that exists, Ms. Kardashian forges ahead. Do I like all things Kim Kardashian? Not really. In fact the only time I’ve seen a bit of her show is while in the gym. I guess a Kim K fan preceded my arrival. However, I do respect the women’s determination, work ethic, perseverance and seemed business acumen. If the complaint about Ms. Kardashian, is her limited talent, then in my opinion, I’m even more impressed. Beautiful woman in Los Angeles, and for that matter in any large city in the world are plentiful. Those whom label Kim K as a “limited talent” might rethink their position. To maximize limited talent to the degree Ms. Kardashian has, is well, an impressive talent-wouldn’t you agree? As a matter-of-fact, the woman must be extremely talented to have created the Kim K brand and grown it in today’s economy. It must be....

The Kim Kardashian Effect

The more I think about it, the more I take my hat off to Kim Kardashian. Talk about turning lemons into lemonade. Isn’t that the credo of every success, or inspirational story? Let’s just say Kim K’s initial claim to fame, was at minimum, inauspicious. Yes, her relationship antics, etc. are fodder for the tabloids. Yet, Ms. Kardashian has weathered every storm with dogged determination, and with an optimistic outlook, and somehow maintained her vulnerability-admirable. Sure, living one’s personal life in front of cameras isn’t my idea of a cool drink-but (I know I promised-this is positively the last pun intended) it’s not my life. Underneath it all, Kim K seems to be a nice girl that’s figuring life out, doing the best she knows how. She likes nice things, enjoys travel and having fun, and is looking for love. Ummm….pretty much what every single woman wants. The difference, like it or not, is Ms. Kardashian has found a way to do it with panache and in front of the cameras. In other words....

The Kim Kardashian Effect

Duke’s Lindy Duncan Named Golfweek’s Player of The Week

DURHAM, N.C.- The accolades and awards continue to pour in for Duke’s Lindy Duncan. Fresh off her third victory of the year -at the 2012 Bryan National Collegiate-she was named the Golfweek Player of the Week. In addition, Duncan was awarded the Ronald McDonald House Charities Duke Student-Athlete of the Week and the ACC Women’s Golfer of The Month for April.

Duncan is currently the #1 golfer in the nation by the Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index. She’s placed in the top 10 in seven out of seven tournaments this year, including four top five finishes. Duncan’s performance led the Duke Women’s Golf Team to a tie for first-place at the Bryan National after three rounds. However, they fell short in a playoff vs. Tennessee for the team title.

Next up for Duncan and the Duke Women’s Golf Team is The ACC Championship to be played April 13-15 in Greensboro at the Sedgefield Country Club.