Kelsey Williams (OKC Thunder Girl) - Too "Chubby" for a NBA Cheerleader?

The 2012-13 NBA Playoffs are in full swing. Fifteen teams are in the tournament looking to unseat the Miami Heat as NBA Champions. One team in particular is receiving quite a bit of press - the Oklahoma City Thunder. OKC is the number one seed in the Western Conference and would enjoy nothing more than a chance to avenge last years loss in The Finals to the Miami Heat. However, a couple of challenges have arisen....

Is it possible, i'm referencing All-Star Russell Westbrook and his knee surgery? Certainly that's going to present a challenge to the playoff hopes and dreams of OKC.  Yet, that's not the challenge this post will focus on. The focus of this writing is.....

Kelsey Williams.

Kelsey Williams - is she a roster replacement for Westbrook? Of course not, yet Ms.Williams is an integral part of team OKC. How so? Remember what James Brown told us:

This Is A Man's World
But it would be nothing, nothing 
Without a women or a girl

Kelsey Williams is a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder Girls. Last year i included the OKC Thunder Girls, in a post about that very subject. Ms. Williams finds herself in the eye of a media storm. For what reason? The same billion-dollar reason Superstar Sports Illustrated model Kate Upton is deemed controversial.

Is Kelsey Williams Too Chubby for A NBA cheerleader?

WOW!!

Seriously??

With televised HD network broadcasting of some of the most gifted athletes in the world, tongues are wagging about the supposed "chubbiness" of  OKC Thunder Girl Kelsey Williams as a NBA cheerleader?

Unbelievable!!

Ms. Williams is NOT a cheerleader.  She's a highly skilled dancer, one of 20 chosen from a rigorous audition process.Take a look at this video:

http://www.nba.com/thunder/video/2012/08/03/TGfinals120802mov-2175422

In a way, this media storm can be positive. The way Ms. Williams has handled being singled out in such a manner, is impressive. Hopefully, this will showcase how people of all shapes and sizes are athletic, healthy and happy.  Hopefully, this will put another dent in the media-born definition of what beauty truly is. Thank you Kelsey Williams, for your contribution!!

Kim Kardashian and 'Temptation'

On March 29th,  Tyler Perry's 'Temptation' starring Kim Kardashian will be released at a theater near you. Will Kardashian and Temptation, or Temptation and Kardashian, generate big box office? Is the Kim Kardashian Effect still alive and well?

The premise of the film is intriguing.  A highly intelligent, beautiful woman finds herself unfulfilled at the office.  Is her lack of fulfillment, only at the office or does it extend to her marriage as well? Casting Kardashian in a movie about relationships - entitled 'Temptation' - gotta love it. Ms. Kardashian shares her thoughts the film:

Yes, what a conversation. Temptation from the female point of view. Will this film open the eyes of couples and be a difference maker? It'll be interesting to see what impact, if any this film has.

Katherine Webb and 'Splash' - Why Not?

'Splash' is the latest entry in Britain's continuing invasion of American pop culture.  The season finale of 'Downton Abbey' behind us, ABC has imported this offering of celebrities and high-diving in front of a live audience.  Shakespeare in the Park - let's not get ridiculous- 'Splash' is light, fun, at times inspiring entertainment.

In reality (no pun intended), watching Louie Anderson at age fifty-nine and weighing 400lbs. diving off a 23ft. platform, followed by basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - at sixty-five    

attempting a backward somersault - is inspiring.  Drake Bell, Ndamukong Suh, and Rory Bushfield are athletic types that helped me appreciate just how difficult the sport of diving is. 

 Add to the mix: swimsuit model Katherine Webb,

Reality tv stalwart Kendra Wilkinson, 

 Keisha Knight Pulliam (The Cosby Show)

 Nicole Eggert

Brandi Chastain





Katherine Webb and colleagues - Tuesday at 8 p.m. on ABC - Why Not?

Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn - A "Liger" Is Born?

 The first time i heard the descriptive word "Liger", was while watching the film Napoleon Dynamite:

Deb - What are you drawing?
Napoleon Dynamite - A liger.
Deb - What's a liger?
Napoleon Dynamite - It's pretty much my favorite animal. It's like a lion and a tiger mixed…

This Facebook post of Lindsey Vonn confirms she and Tiger Woods are indeed a couple. Will the word Liger,  take on new meaning in 2013 and beyond? Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn are true Superstar athletes in their respective sports. 

Woods has won two golf tournaments this year, and before Vonn had a season-endinhg injury, she had captured her sixth World Cup season title. 

Will Vonn be a difference maker for Woods this year? Will his drought of wins in majors end, possibly next month at The Masters? Only time will tell, but for now it'll be fun seeing how all this plays out....

Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn - A Liger Is Born?

#4 Duke Women Topple Host USC Trojans 75 - 60

Day 2 of The Women Troy Basketball Classic featured University of Southern California vs. #4 Duke
Photo : Joe Nathan

Kate Oliver (#10) and Cassie Harberts (#11) battle Duke's Elizabeth Williams (#1) and Tricia Liston (#32) for a loose ball during Duke's 75 - 60 win over the USC Trojans. Photo: Joe Nathan

                                                  Elizabeth Williams (#1) and Kate Oliver (#10) Photo: Joe Nathan


LOS ANGELES - The University of Southern California played host to the Duke Women's basketball team, in the marquee matchup of The Women Of Troy Basketball Classic. USC Head Coach had his team ready to play against the mighty Duke team. Cassie Harberts, Kate Oliver, and Alexyz Vaioletama led their team with gritty, physical play in the game vs. Duke. Harberts scored on a lay-up with 3:52 left in the first-half to bring her team within two. Duke then went on a scoring spree, ignited by a 3-pointer from Chelsea Gray, to take a 39-30 halftime lead.

To their credit, USC never gave up even when Duke opened up a 20-point lead, on a Tricia Liston 3-point basket with 2:53 left in the game. The Trojans Kiki Alofaituli, scored on a layup as time expired, to make the final score Duke 75 - USC 60.  Duke simply overpowered the Trojans. Tricia Liston, Haley Peters, Elizabeth Williams, Alexis Jones and Chelsea Gray all scored in double figures for Duke.  In addition, Chloe Wells provided a much-needed energy boost and spark to the Duke lineup when inserted with about seven minutes left in the first half. Duke Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie took note of  Well's "leadership" and "energy" in her post-game comments.

Up next for Duke:  December 30, Monmouth visits Cameron Indoor at 2p.m. (EST)

Duke 97 - CSU Bakersfield 63

Duke Head Coach Joanne P. McAllie, Allison Vernerey, Elizabeth Williams, Tricia Liston, Chelsea Gray, Assistant Coach Candice Jackson, Assistant Coach Joy Cheek, Sarah Smoak and Hernando Planells watch intently during Duke's 97-63 win over CSU Bakersfield. Photo: Joe Nathan

LOS ANGELES -  The #4 Duke Women's basketball team has descended on Southern California to participate in the Women Of Troy Basketball Classic.  Their first opponent, CSU Bakersfield, was overmatched by the talented and deep Duke team 97 - 63.

Elizabeth Williams led all scorers with 21 points and 8 rebounds.  5 other Duke players also scored double figures  - Haley Peters (16 points.), Tricia Liston (14 points), Chelsea Gray (11 points), Chloe Wells (10 points) and Sierra Moore (10 points).

Duke's Tricia Liston and Allison Vernerey wrestle for control of the ball with CSU Bakersfield's Marilyn Naderhofffor.  Photo: Joe Nathan

CSU Bakersfield actually had an early lead and with 13:41 left in the 1st half the score was tied 15-15. After a timeout, Duke gathered itself and began to perform like the #4 team in the country.

Up next: Duke will face host USC at 3p.m. (EST) in Day 2 of the Women Of Troy Basketball Classic.

Walmart Discounts iPhone 5 and iPad Till End of 2012!

Walmart has announced starting December 17th, the 16G iPhone 5 will be sold for $127.00, with a two-year commitment. In addition, the 16G 4th generation iPad, will be available for purchase at $399.00. The iPad purchase also comes with a $30.00 iTunes gift card.

These deals are available in-store only. Seems like Walmart is pushing hard to grow its foot traffic and sales by year-end. This price cut by Walmart may be the biggest thing to happen to iPhone since iPhone.