el Page 2239 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

<em>Sports Illustrated South Africa</em> Distances Itself From Hitlery Ad Campaign
Remember that rather gauche Sports Illustrated South Africa fake-cover ad campaign? The one with Der Führer getting the ol' SI jinx dropped on his head? Well, the magazine now claims it didn't like the ads, either....

We Were All Witnesses
"Well, that guy is not in the league anymore. The other 2-3 is now on the good side now. That other 2-3 is gone, so we don't have to worry about that no more." [LeBron James, after his last-second shot won Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals]...

I Wonder What Kind Of Clever Anti-Kobe Shirts Orlando Has In Store?
Probably nothing as incendiary as the "Our Turn To Rape Kobe" t-shirt worn by this female Nuggets fan, but I hope for the best. Although it's probably highly unlikely if any Magic fans share the diminutive right brain size of Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi....

And In Other TNT News...
Can't tell if this is more insulting to Big Ben or Brady Quinn. [CoED Mag]...

Charles Barkley Plays By A Different Set Of Broadcast Rules
Charles Barkley's impromptu, line-crossing NBA analyst technique is what endears him to millions and it continues to amaze me how much he gets away with on-air/off-court without any career-ending consequences. The latest installment: Last night's TNT broadcast where Sir Roundmound calls Kenny Smith...

Francesa Takes Another Look At The Joba Rules
Confession: I'm a Yankees fan, which gives me, like any other Yankees fan, the right to opine about the best interest of Joba Chamberlain's arm. Mike Francesa's also a Yankees fan, and he hosts a radio show, which, apparently, makes him doubly passionate about the precocious righty....

That's C-O-A-C-H-K
Laodicean? No problem for Kavya Shivashankar, but I almost feel bad for this girl. For the rest of her life, people are going to ask her to spell things like Krzyzewski, and she's going to have to feign interest. It's not S-H-I-S-H-E-T-S-K-Y; just say N-O and move on. [ESPN]...

Spotted: Bud Selig At An Independent League Game In Chico
There were fireworks last night at Nettleton Stadium in Chico, Calif., and in the end, that's what it was all about. The independent league baseball game before the fireworks was just the opener, and there was certainly no encore....

Yes, That Is A Horse In Vogue
Why should Rachel Alexandra race the boys when she can fulfill a filly's fantasy and appear in Vogue, at the behest of Anna Wintour? "She was there at the Preakness and was inspired, like so many other women were," a spokeswoman said. [The Rail]...

Kobe Holds Up His End Of The Bargain
NBA executives can breathe a sigh of relief — even if LeBron loses tonight, at least they'll have Kobe Bryant in the NBA finals. Bryant scored 35 and the Lakers pounded the Nuggets 119-92, showing off the killer instinct that they established at just the right time. [OC Register]...

The Other, Adorable Memphis Scandal
You all know about Derrick Rose supposedly peeking at someone else's hypotenuses or whatever. But what about the other Memphis scandal? The one involving the women's golf team and a book called Best Friends? This one will warm your heart....

The One Where We Find Out If Rachel Nichols Farted
We get a massive amount of tips in our inbox each week. Some are pretty interesting, but don't get published for one reason or another....

Spanish Matador Messes With Bull, Gets Horns
Bullfighter Israel Lancho is in critical condition after being gored by his "opponent" in Madrid on Wednesday. I guess that in addition to the horns, you also occasionally get an eight-inch wide perforation in your lower abdomen. (Amazing [and graphic] photos and video below, so proceed at your own ...

Kobe Bryant's Greatness Lacks Airness
"...Jordan broke his challengers, convincing every player in the NBA that no one else had what it takes ...Kobe Bryant, too, tests his opponents' will-but sometimes they pass the test. The real lesson of the Olympics: "Pick up a few pointers from Kobe, and maybe you can take him." [Slate]...

Why Rick Porcello Matters
Rick Porcello won his fifth straight start yesterday, which ensured the 20-year-old a long season of being inaptly compared to Doc Gooden. He'll probably finish the year reminding everyone of Zach Duke instead, but there's a reason to hope he doesn't, and it has to do with the amateur draft....

The Coolest Kids At The National Spelling Bee
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is going primetime tonight, but if you weren't in front of a TV this afternoon then you missed out on the drama, the haircuts, and the soul crushing tween angst that makes competitive spelling such a riveting spectator sport....

<em>Sports Illustrated South Africa</em>'s Quirky New Ad Campaign: Black Panthers, Hitler
It can't be easy marketing an American-style sports magazine in a country only 15 years removed from apartheid, which is probably why Sports Illustrated South Africa feels the need to give the hard sell now. By which I mean, Hitler....

Fran Tarkenton <em>Still</em> Has A Few Things To Get Off His Chest...
Concerned about any "firestorm" he may have caused with his Favre bashing,Tarkenton returned to 790 The Zone this morning to clarify a few things he said. Actually he just goes on more of a tirade. Today's victims: sports writers, Marcellus Wiley, "Society," and, of course, Favre....

How Conan O'Brien Ruined The Stanley Cup Finals
For the first time in 54 years, two Stanley Cup Finals games will be played on back-to-back nights. Why the rush? Because NBC doesn't want boring old hockey games cluttering up their precious Law & Order reruns....