Dwight Howard ‘Tebowing’ [PIC]

If you haven’t heard of ‘Tebowing’ it is sort of like the new ‘planking’ but for NFL fans….and players. Specifically those that can’t stand Broncos QB Tim Tebow. It has become a viral sensation on sports blogs these days.

Well Dwight Howard wanted to get in on the action of this ‘Tebowing’ so he posted this pic (after the jump) to his twitter profile on the weekend. Bonus points to whoever can name the fast food joint where he’s at:

Kardashian Filing for Divorce from Humphries

In the ‘least surprising news of the day,’ TMZ.com is reporting that Kim Kardashian has filed for divorce from NBA Player Kris Humphries. That’s right folks, after only 72 days of wedded bliss the two are callin’ it quits. Who could possibly see that one coming?

Well I guess we can chalk it up to lessons learned for Humphries. Next time, you may want to avoid being seen in public places getting lap dances and/or hanging out with other attractive chicks in ‘date-like’ situations:

Kim Kardashian filed for divorce Monday morning, after 72 days of not-so-wedded bliss to Kris Humphries … TMZ has learned, and now we have the documents.

We’re told even though the marriage was short, she is not seeking an annulment. It’s a garden variety divorce, in which Kim cites “irreconcilable differences.”
As we first reported, the couple has a prenuptial agreement … Kim made sure of that.

Rumors of a split had been swirling for some time and the two were spotted out to dinner earlier this week … looking less than pleased with one another. [Via]

New Nike Ad Features LeBron, KD, Amar’e and Dirk Together

Throughout the course of the summer, Nike has adopted the slogan, “Basketball Never Stops.” Read more

The Hoop Doctors Podcast: Episode 69

This week on THD Podcast Kevin Burke discusses the latest around the league and the lockout…

If you often find yourself too busy to watch The Hoop Doctors Podcasts, get them on the go for your iPhone or iPod! Subscribe to our Podcasts in the iTunes Directory, free of charge. Also, if you have any questions you’d like answered by Kevin or any other member of The Hoop Doctors team, feel free to email them to admin@thehoopdoctors.com and we will be sure to select the best of the best to have answered by Kevin On-Air next week or in a future episode.

Derrick Williams Says East Coast Bias is Why He Wasn’t Selected #1

Last week, we mentioned to you that Under Armour invited The Hoop Doctors to their exclusive basketball line event where they unveiled some new products and advertisements. Read more

Happy Halloween from ‘White Wade’!

You didn’t think we were going to go the whole day without wishing you a Happy Halloween did you? It’s the greatest day of the year as women have an excuse to dress extra ‘provocatively’ without feat of ridicule, and men have the chance to dress up as their favorite celebrity, athlete, or musician that they secretly want to be.

And it just so happens for Dwyane Wade that musician/actor is Justin Timberlake. Do you all remember last year when Wade went white for Halloween as JT? Well, here is a big ol’ “HAPPY HALLOWEEN” from White Wade. If this doesn’t scare you, then I don’t know what will…

But not to fear Dwyane, or Miami Heat Fans, it could have been worse. Much much worse. He could have dressed like this for Halloween…..

[H/T to Miami New Times for the Pics]

World All-Star Tour Postponed

Last week, we told you that certain players backed out of the World All-Star Tour. Many thought that had to do with the fact that a new CBA deal was imminent. However, since talks broke down (surprise, surprise) late last week and games have been cancelled through November 30, that’s probably not the reason why.

The six-game, four-continent World All-Star Classic exhibition tour featuring two squads of All-Star NBA players is on hold, with Sunday’s scheduled game in San Juan, Puerto Rico, postponed indefinitely.

The other five games on the tour, scheduled for London, Macau and Australia, already had been pushed back until late November. There was hope the game in San Juan could be salvaged and serve as proof to the other venues and investors that Atlanta businessman Cal Darden and his son, Cal Jr., were capable of pulling off the event.

Cal Darden Sr. could not be reached for comment. A spokeswoman told The Associated Press a new date for the San Juan game will be announced by Nov. 3.

Source: ESPN.com

Top 5 Ways for the NBA to Win Back Fans

Flipping through the channels the other night, I finally saw something that looked interesting. The title read “basketball,” so I clicked on it. While the NBA still works on a deal, the only basketball on television was a WNBA charity game to raise money for breast cancer. Although I don’t follow the WNBA enough to recognize many of the names, the players were former champions, MVP’s, and All-Stars. Despite the NBA’s many community efforts, the WNBA was doing something far too rare for their male counterparts in the NBA. So, it got me thinking: when the NBA resumes, what are some great ways for the league to win back its fans and even win over some new ones?

1. NBA All-Star Charity Game to Combat a Disease

In light of what a classy move the WNBA makes year-after-year, I think the NBA should follow suit. Find a health issue that affects many Americans, like obesity or heart disease, a major health concern among African Americans, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Then, plan a charity game with a bunch of great players, like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett, and bingo, you’ve got a great story that will not only result in the league donating lots of money to a charitable cause, but it will entertain and warm the hearts of basketball fans worldwide.

2. NBA All-Star Charity Game to Combat Poverty

In this climate of people losing their jobs, not having enough money to pay their bills, and protesting economic inequality, as seen in the Occupy Wall Street Movement, the NBA lockout has not escaped the scrutiny of those with far more to worry about than how big or small a chunk of millions or billions of dollars players or owners will get in the next CBA. In fact, this squabbling at this exact time has had a negative impact on how people view the league. How can the NBA build a bridge to those fans severely affected by the current economic recession? Easy, do another charity game, but this time donate the money to poor and less fortunate individuals.

3. NBA Celebrity Jeopardy

Actors and athletes have done Jeopardy before, but I can’t even remember the last time I saw a current NBA player on the show, although author and Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was on the show in 2009. Appearances like this would help to counter act perceptions of the NBA as merely ‘thug.’

4. Incentive for Hustle in Players’ Contracts

Players already have financial incentives for individual accomplishments and their team making the playoffs. But, to add excitement and get rid of the perception of laziness, financial incentives for hustle and effort plays should be included in players’ contracts.

5. Auction off Discount Tickets to High School Students

In addition to NBA Cares programs like “Read to Achieve,” the NBA could improve their image and probably gain new fans by auctioning or raffling off discounted tickets to high school and college students.

So if that is a start, what else should the NBA do to win back fans and gain new ones?

Rob S. De France is a College and University instructor of English Composition living in Los Angeles. He has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Rhetoric, Composition, and Writing. De France has played, coached, and officiated competitive high school basketball in California for many years. Recently, De France, his wife, and another colleague started an internationally read magazine at Shwibly.com.

Lakers Matt Barnes Dating Eva Longoria?

Matt Barnes of the LA Lakers just announced last week that he split up with his fiancee and mother of his children Gloria Govan, who is one of the stars of the show ‘Basketball Wives’. It didn’t take long for the media to try and tie Barnes to another woman. This one seems a bit manufactured given Eva Longoria is still dating someone, but who knows, stranger things have happened in the world of NBA WAG’s….

Spies at the Greenwich Village restaurant said Longoria, who’s still dating Penelope Cruz’s younger brother, Eduardo, also dined with two of her close friends — stylist Robert Verdi and entrepreneur Loren Ridinger — but seemed very focused on Barnes…

A spy in the restaurant told us: “There was definitely a spark between Eva and Matt. They weren’t seated next to each other, but you could tell there was something between them. There was a little hand-holding over the table and a lot of eye contact.”

This isn’t the first time Longoria has been out with Barnes. On Oct. 16, she posted a photo on Twitter of herself partying with Barnes and George Lopez at Club Nikki in Las Vegas…

A rep for Longoria told us, “Eva and Matt are friends and are working together doing charity work for Eva’s Padres Contra El Cáncer. She was at the dinner amongst her other friends.”

[Via NY Post]

Brandon Jennings Speaks Out About His Beef with Kobe Bryant this Summer

Brandon Jennings, star point guard for the Milwaukee Bucks, is anything but conventional. He took an unconventional route to the NBA, he had an unconventional NBA draft night, his personality is genuine and unapologetic Read more

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