BonaFide Sports Expert Robert Littal: May 2009 Archives

Obviously didn't Lebron didn't read my "Open Letter" to him a couple of weeks ago about him being a "drama queen".

Last night after being destroyed by the Orlando Magic in Game 6th of the Eastern Conference finals "The King" acted more like a spoiled prince. Lebron refused to shake hands with any of the Magic players and then decided he was to "angry" to attend the post game press conference which is required by the NBA. Instead Mo Williams was forced to the podium to congratulate the Magic and explain why the best team in the league would not be going to the NBA Finals (by the way I have gotten on Mo Williams a lot in this series but he has my respect for doing a stand up job in that press conference).

I must admit I might be the greatest Tweeter of all time (http://www.twitter.com/BlkSportsOnline). Lord knows I am better than Diddy and Soulja Boy. I have had some legendary twitter conversations for the Cheating Commandments to Mike Brown offensive sets, so if you aren't following me you definitely should start because you are missing out.

Last night I was getting my Tweet on during the Magic vs. Cavs game (I normally twitter during every major sporting event in real time). I was doing what I do when I made a crack about Dwight Howard. To put this into context I joke about everyone while I am twittering. No one is immune to my wrath especially when I am on a roll. I mix in humor with real analysis about what is going on during the events. It is what makes people want to follow me. With that being said here is what I said verbatim last night:

"Dwight Howard knocked up the 1st chick he played "Bed Gammon" with & she just happened to be a Magic Cheerleader. "Pimp Focus" not strong"

I need your help. The Reality show "I am a Superstar Get Me Out of Here" is having a blogger competition and I am in it.

And since all you guys love me so much this is your time to help me up. If I win the competition I get to go to Costa Rica. So please vote:

Yesterday we compared Lebron James plight to a very young Michael Jordan. Today we are going to compare the plight of Kobe Bryant to an older Michael Jordan.

Legendary athletes in any sport when their physical skills start to erode their mental skills peak. When they no longer have the ability to physically dominate they get by simply on their athletic IQ.

Fans in general, especially if they are in love with the player don't like to acknowledge physical slippage. To the train eye though it should be obvious.

If you have been engaged in the Kobe vs. Lebron debate one thing should be clear, Lebron is a physical monster right now. This brings us to Darth Kobe.

Let me make one thing perfectly clear I don't care what JR Smith says he was doing. I don't care that he says that he was doing the "upside down 3". I simply don't care because it doesn't matter.

You are a young black man covered in tattoos on national TV flashing what appears to be "gang signs".

One of the first sports books I ever read was "The Jordan Rules" by Stan Smith. One of the main features of the book was a philosophy by Detroit Pistons head coach Chuck Daly (RIP) on the best way to defend Michael Jordan.

The interesting thing was Daly knew you couldn't totally stop Jordan, but the plan was to force him to play 1 on 5 and to beat his brains in for the entire series.

Fast forward to 2009 and you are Lebron James. You have your "Scottie Pippen" Mo Williams not even playing to a Craig Hodges level (what was up with Mo almost crying after the game, dude is weird). Your big men are either statues (Big Z) or offensively challenged (Side Show Bob). You have a forward that is 100 years old (Joe Smith) and another one that is Wally Freakin Szerbiak for goodness sake. It is truly amazing (do not play that Kanye West song again!!!) that Lebron has kept this series with the Magic as close as it is.

.

Big thanks to John Lopez and Ted Deluca aka The Monsters of the Midday for having me on 790AM this afternoon talking about JR Smith and the NBA Playoffs. Just one of the many great radio stations over the past couple of days who have had me on giving me an opportunity to clarify my points on the matter.

If you want to listen to the audio of the segment which also included some talk on Lebron James as well as the Lakers vs. Nuggets series click below:

LISTEN TO ROBERT LITTAL ON JR SMITH, LEBRON JAMES & LAKERS VS. NUGGETS

You can check out John and Ted daily on 790AM Radio in Houston.

It is time to expand the empire and get some fresh new voices on the site. So I am fielding offers for new BlackSportsOnline writers. I am not going to get into too much detail on here, but there are a couple of core components you have to have to write for the site:

1- You have to have writing skills.

Just because you talk a good game at the barbershop doesn't mean you can translate that into words. One of the misconceptions is that it is easy to write about sports. It is easy to talk about sports, but trying to formulate that into five to ten articles a week and it isn't as easy as it looks. So while it isn't necessary for you to have writing experience you will have to demonstrate the ability to write sports articles.

2- You have to be creative.

Once I have established you can write, you have to be able to show you are not just an average writer. If I am reading a sample of your work and I think I am reading ESPN.com then that is a problem. Our strength is in our uniqueness and I am looking for people with an edge.

3- You have to be dedicated.

If you aren't serious don't even reply. We are one of the Top 10 Biggest Sports blog in the country, so if you are going to half ass it don't waste my time. If you are interested in making a name in the sports media then hit me up.

So email me at bso@blacksportsonline.comand I will be in contact within you with 24-48 hours.

This will be a huge transition I am looking for about 10 writers to ease my burden while I attempt to take over the world Pinky and The Brain style.

You can also hit me up on Twitter if you have immediate questions that need to be answered: BlackSportsOnline Twitter

If I had $500 in my pocket right now (which I don't) and I needed to get advice on who to bet that money on for an NBA Playoff game who would I go to?

Not the great RJ Bell at Pregame.com.
Not anyone on ESPN (some please shut down their NBA Shoot Around show ASAP).
Not Lee Cordova (it is best you don't know who he is or what he does).

I would go straight to:

I really don't care about the story but any time I can feature Mrs. Bryant I am doing it. Here at the details via ESPN:

SANTA ANA, Calif. -- Kobe Bryant and his wife are suing their former housekeeper, accusing her of violating her contract by talking to the media about the family's private affairs.

The countersuit was filed Friday in Orange County Superior Court. It says Maria Jimenez broke a confidentiality agreement. The court filing was posted Saturday on the Web site TMZ.com.

You know the deal BlackSportsOnline will be streaming live HBO Boxing: Berto vs. Urgano & Cintron vs. Angulu 9:45PM Eastern

As always donations are greatly appreciated (Via PayPal). To help pay for the PPV

Follow me on Twitter for the latest updates on our live streams:

http://www.twitter.com/BlkSportsOnline

I have been getting on Lebron lately about he WWE/Paris Hilton antics after he gets fouled and cramping after game one (which is all fact by the way), but don't get it twisted:

Back when I was at The Ohio State University I use to do a school sponsored radio show (yeah I was even Bona Fide back then) and I remember when the 1998 draft was approaching I was 100% behind the Colts taking Ryan Leaf over Peyton Manning. Since I was a lot louder than I am now I would tell anyone who would listen that Leaf would be much better than Manning. My theory was that Manning could never win the big game whereas Leaf was physically better and had the type of demeanor to handle pressure situations.

I wasn't that far of far off about Manning choking in big games but in hindsight I probably should have taken into account he was awesome in all the other games. Leaf on the other hand well even the great ones like myself deserve a mulligan.

Dear Lebron,

First let me say that I am a Witness. Your play last night was not human. You were 20-30 from the field and that simply doesn't happen in the NBA. You were even able to add eight assists, six boards, three blocks and two steals while only committing two turnovers. Those numbers are even more impressive considering your teammates were of little to no help to you last night and your coach decided to use the NBA2K9 playbook offense:

GIVE THE BALL TO LEBRON AND EVERYONE GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY.

I understand it is hard playing 1 on 5 and I understand it is hard playing for a coach who if you mention the triangle or motion offense looks at you like you are talking quantum physics. So when I tell you this has nothing to do with your game on the court I mean it.

Physically LB you are the best player in the league and if you get your ring you will end all debate who is the best player in the league period. With that being said it is time for someone to tell you what everyone has been whispering behind your back:

Believe it or not I think Brian Kenny of ESPN and Floyd Mayweather are friends. They need a radio or TV show together because this is pure entertainment.

I will say this for Floyd people don't like to give him credit for anything and he made some solid points about Manny Pacquiao past losses as well as the differences with his fights with Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton as oppose to Pacquiao's recent domination of the same fighters.

Now I love that Brian Kinney doesn't take any crap from Floyd and raises some solid points himself especially asking why Floyd won't fight Shane Mosley and why he didn't wait to fight Manny Pacquiao.

This is how interviews should be. Not all that lovey dovey softball stuff that normally happens. Pure comedey This is RL approved.

In classic American fashion it appears many in our society have realized what I have been saying for the last two years:

Maybe when society sees a multiple time felony who was caught red handed buying automatic weapons get two months in jail (See T.I.) or reads about a man shooting someone in the leg three times but gets six years probation and allowed to graduate for the same school he shot the person at (see: Morehouse shooting) it realize that their judgment of Vick was a bit harsh.

Is a Michael Vick a liar, an idiot and a cruel individual to animals?

I am going to be honest I am a little tired of the Lebron/Kobe debate. It has been overkill as of late especially considering they are two totally different players at two totally different times in their career.

But I was Twittering it up this morning (http://www.twitter.com/BlkSportsOnline) with my friend mrsFAB (http://www.twitter.com/mrsFAB) about Lebron/Kobe which she made an interesting point that got me to thinking. She was pointing out how she would like Lebron to get his ring, but she thinks Kobe will. I think that is the sentiment of a lot of people and since a lot of people ask me all the time what do I mean when I say they are totally different players and different times in their careers it inspired me to write the comparisons in terms that everyone could understand.

You might love T.O., you might hate T.O., but whatever your feelings are for Terrell Owens the one thing you have to give him credit for he is damn entertaining.

There hasn't been this much excitement in Buffalo since they invented the Buffalo Wing.

If you are interested in online poker or other casino games, this is the site for you.

If I was the "Dog Whisperer" I would definitely consider it. it is better than working $10 an hour construction and I sure a quarter of a million would feel good in his pocket right now.

Here is the official press release:

Some good news for your Monday Tony Kornheiser is out of the ESPN Monday Night Football booth to be replaced by former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden (I will fight the urge for the Chucky references because everyone is going to be using that today).

Love Tony Kornheiser on PTI and on radio, but he was a disaster on Monday Night Football. I understand they wanted to interject some personality into the broadcast, but there were times last year that I am sure 60% of the viewing audience was watching on mute. If it wasn't for Ron Jawroksi there wouldn't have been any reason at all to watch.

2nd round Record: 3-1

Overall Record: 9-3

Eastern Conference:

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #3 Orlando Magic

One thing I can guarantee is that the Cavaliers won't sweep the Magic. The Magic present a lot of matchup problems for the Cavs. They are very similar to Lakers they have a lot of size up front, there forwards are long and athletic and their point guard play is a little shaky.

The Magic have the personnel to beat the Cavaliers, but do they have the playoff intensity to beat them? I give them credit for beating the Celtics, but to be honest that series should not have went more than five games as the Magic were clearly the superior team personnel wise.

The Cavs come in with extreme confidence and have been playing the best ball of anyone in the playoffs. With that being said there sweeps have been against far inferior teams.

They have the best player in the league and they have the home court. They are playing with a chip on their shoulder as if they are a team of destiny.

I think it is going to be a good series, but Cleveland mentally is focus on a championship whereas I think Orlando is just happy to make it to the conference finals.

Cavs 4-2

Western Conference:

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #2 Denver Nuggets

I always tell people that Mike Tyson is probably the most misunderstood athlete of our time.

Any interview with him is fascinating and this is no different. From biting ears to being humble this is a must view.

If you are in the Saint Louis area this is a wonderful opportunity to meet your favorite MMA Fighters from StrikeForce.

This event is open to the public and autographs and pictures will be available, so come out and show your support on Tuesday May 19th.

The season finale of Dhani Tackles the Globe is coming up this Monday at 9 PM E/P and Dhani is going big with Sambo fighting in Russia. Sambo is known as the "art of self-defense without weapons" and it definitely proves to be a complex and challenging sport.

To prepare for his fight, Dhani endures grueling outdoor training, takes ballet lessons and visits a Russian military base. Mr. Jones takes a break from training to visit a traditional Russian Banya where he sweats in the sauna, gets flogged with Venik (a bunch of leafy branches) and cools off in the plunge pool.

See if Dhani has what it takes to become a truly inspired and coordinated Sambo fighter.

Check out this preview video

The Lakers blew it again last night to the point there entire fan base are ready to "Table Leg" murder them. On a lighter note as you know I went to The Ohio State University and while there I took a class on "face recognition". In essence you can tell what someone is thinking not by their words, but by their face. So class is in session for one Darth Kobe "Bean" Bryant at the post game press conference last night. Do you see what I see?

Many times after The Bulls lost Michael Jordan would use this face and since Kobe is a "MJ Clone" in many respects it isn't unusual to see this face from him.

Basically it is the face that says:

"It isn't my fault these dudes are scrubs"

Maxim has released its 100 Sexiest females of 2009 . Some people consider Olivia Wilde aka "13" from "House" an upset winner over Megan Fox. I think they are splitter hairs, but that is not what I want to talk to you about.

Being that I am the boss of this operation it affords me the opportunity from time to time to do things that have nothing to do with sports (it is good to be the King).

If you have been following me on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/BlkSportsOnline)you are aware of my musings and philosophies on the female species. So I have a special treat for you today as I will breakdown the difference between 13 and Miss Fox in terms that only a sports fan could love (also gives me an excuse to post some hot pictures).

Every guy in the world knows at least one of these types a female (or you should). A female so gorgeous, so beautiful and so overwhelmingly dripping with sex appeal that you would consider doing something so wrong it is criminal just to impress her.

For example:

You know the deal BlackSportsOnline will be streaming live UFC 98: Rashard Evans vs. Lyoto Machida 10PM Eastern

As always donations are greatly appreciated (Via PayPal). To help pay for the PPV

Follow me on Twitter for the latest updates on our live streams:

http://www.twitter.com/BlkSportsOnline

If you missed me on The Sports Groove with Mark Gray this evening you can listen here:

Part 1: Speaking on Mark Cuban, David Stern & The general foolishness of the NBA lately

Part 2: Speaking on Big Baby Davis & Racism in the NBA

You know the deal BlackSportsOnline will be streaming live WWE Judgement day 8:00PM Est.

As always donations are greatly appreciated (Via PayPal). To help pay for the PPV

Follow me on Twitter for the latest updates on our live streams:

http://www.twitter.com/BlkSportsOnline

I know sometimes I can be a little long winded and to be honest I don't even want to write about this, so I will get straight the point:

There was a time that I honestly thought Quincy Carter was going to be an elite Quarterback in the NFL. Yeah I was a bit off on that one. Carter has been arrested for what seems like the 37 time. This time it is for probation violation. Here are the details:

Can I be honest with you?

The shot that Glen "Big Baby" hit was very nice. Anytime you hit a game winning shot in the playoffs you should be applauded.

You do it on the road and it is even more impressive.

You do it to save your team from going down 3-1 in the series is something you should pound your chest about and be very proud of.

So Big Baby should have as many Twinkies and Ding Dongs as his heart desires tonight because he is sitting on top of the world.

About The Show:

Series Premiere, Monday, June 1st 8/7c

You know the deal BlackSportsOnline will be streaming live Andre Ward Vs. Edison Miranda 9:00PM Est.

As always donations are greatly appreciated (Via PayPal). To help pay for the PPV

Follow me on Twitter for the latest updates on our live streams:

http://www.twitter.com/BlkSportsOnline

I am starting to think that the NBA wants Ron Artest to "Table Leg" stab someone considering the unfair treatment he has been getting lately. Artest has been thrown out of two games in a row for:

1- Talking closely to Kobe Bryant.
2- Going for a block shot on Pau Gasol.

Is there anything that Lebron can't do?

I first heard word of this from our friend J.E. Skeet at the Balls Don't Lie Yahoo.com blog and after I read it I was fascinated.

To make a long story short Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki has been playing "Bed Gammon" with a 37 year old woman who had to be an extra from "The Planet of the Apes" named Cristal Taylor. The thing about Miss Taylor is she also goes by:

Chrystal Ann Taylor, Crystal Ann Taylor, Crystal Ann Santiago and Crista A. Westerhays.

It appears that Miss ummmm Taylor is now pregnant and that got Dirk's "Pimp Focus" in check and led him to hire a private investigator.

Magnum PI didn't have to do much work to find out that Miss ummmm Santiago had a warrant out for theft chargers in Texas and a probation violation warrant in Saint Charles, Missouri (hey that isn't too far from me).

No need to beat around the bush there are only two possibilities to this Manny Ramirez 50 game suspension:

1- Manny is completely innocent and it was the doctors fault for giving him a prescription with a banned substance in it.

2- Manny is a lot smarter than we give him credit for, was trying to be slick and got caught.

I am not going to lie I thought the Ron Artest "Table Leg Murder Story" was just a figment of his wild and crazy imagination to scare Kobe Bryant, but I was dead wrong (no pun intended). Via Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/BlkSportsOnline) someone found an old New York Times Article confirming Artest's story. This is unbelievable:

Here are the details from the New York Times circa 1991:

Ron Artest is crazy. No hyperbole he is crazy always has been and always will be.

If you need any more evidence of why Ron Artest is crazy just listen to the post game interview above provided by Talkhoops.net.

What was my first reaction?

Sometime very hard to be a Kobe fan when he is doing his:

"Look at me I am doing my Michael Jordan impression in every shape, form or fashion."

With that being said when he does stuff like this it reminds you even while he can be very annoying he is still the most talented basketball player in the world.

This play was simply amazing (please don't play the Kanye West song I beg of you)

Lets do so math and you tell me if this adds up:

1- Player gets elbowed in the throat
2- Player that gets elbowed gets called for a foul
3- Player that gets called for the foul ask ref why seeing that he was elbowed in the throat
4- After refs ignore player, player confronts player who elbowed him basically saying don't do it again.
5- Player who got elbowed, wronged on a foul called gets ejected.

This was no Eddie House/Rafer Alston altercation. This was war. These two plays define the series:

Scola popped Derek Fisher in the head and drew some blood. Fisher decided to be the anti-Eddie House and retaliate. I must say if you are going to retaliate don't be a punk about it. I guarantee you that Scola respects Derek Fisher now. This is ridiculous that it was a flagrant 2. They aren't playing with skirts on, but if you suspend Rafer Alston I suppose you have to suspend Derek Fisher. I wouldn't suspend anyone just let them play.

Let me first say I respect Eddie House for keeping his cool. It is the playoffs and he is very important to the success of the Boston Celtics so retaliation would have been the wrong move.

Now that I got that BS out of the way:

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That sums up how I am feeling right now. I just got the news (which has now been confirmed by ESPN) and I feel like Ricky Hatton after getting hit with that left hook by Manny Pacquiao.

Brett Favre is like Rasputin he just will not die.

The NBA and Sprite, with the help of LeBron James, are bringing the best amateur dunkers in the U.S. to the NBA All-Star Weekend 2010 in Dallas to crown a Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown champion. It's time to put non-NBA dunkers with the skills on the big stage!

The good news is that all of Rick Ankiel x-rays came back negative and he has full movement in his legs and arms. The bad news is that you know he is hurting this morning. Running head first into an outfield wall is definitely worse than a lot of the "jacked up" collisions we talk about during the football season.

If you have never been on a Major League Baseball field you have no idea how solid that wall is. Not to simplify things, but it is literally like "running into a wall". That padding does not have much give at all, so running face first is not preferred.

Hopefully Ankiel will only be out for a few games and next time he needs to try to do a "Bo Jackson" as oppose of using his head as a stopper.

Even Ricky Hatton was like "Damn I didn't even get hit that hard".

You know the deal BlackSportsOnline will be streaming live Hector Macho Camacho Vs. Yory Boy 9:00PM Est.

As always donations are greatly appreciated (Via PayPal). To help pay for the PPV

Follow me on Twitter for the latest updates on our live streams:

http://www.twitter.com/BlkSportsOnline

You know the deal BlackSportsOnline will be streaming live Chad Dawson vs. Antonio Tarver & Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton replay 9:30PM Est.

As always donations are greatly appreciated (Via PayPal). To help pay for the PPV

Follow me on Twitter for the latest updates on our live streams:

http://www.twitter.com/BlkSportsOnline

I think everyone was happy that Ricky Hatton was ok after that brutal beat down from Manny Pacquiao especially considering we thought he was dead. He was definitely asleep, but not dead. After receiving a clean bill of health from a local Vegas hospital Ricky was back at the hotel on Sunday afternoon enjoying some time at the pool.

1st Round Record: 6-2
Overall Record: 6-2

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #5 Houston Rockets

I know a lot of people think that the Rockets will give the Lakers problems I do not. This version of the Rockets are no longer 1st round virgins, but they beat an inexperience and young Portland Trail Blazers team by brute force, but that won't happen with the Lakers. They will try to get under the Lakers skin and make it into a dogfight, but it simply will not happen. The Lakers are too skilled of a team from top to bottom to be bothered by the Rockets.

4-1 Lakers

#2 Denver Nuggets vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks took out an old San Antonio team, but handling Denver will be a whole different story. Chauncey Billups have given the Nuggets a ton of confidence and in a way I believe they would prefer to play the Mavericks over the Spurs because the Mavericks still have a reputation of being soft. As long as the Nuggets keep up their hot shooting they should win a fairly competitive series.

4-2 Nuggets

Before you read about Floyd Mayweather's return I implore you to watch this video of Roger Mayweather from the Press Conference. His take on "Trainer of the Year" was by far the funniest moment of my media experience in Vegas:

The worse kept secret in boxing was that Floyd Mayweather Jr. was coming out of retirement. He made it official in an early Saturday morning press conference at the MGM Grand. In true Mayweather form he showed up at the press conference "straight from the strip club".

Let me start this with a quote from one of my Twitter fam Basketballbuzz (http://www.twitter.com/basketballbuzz) who summed up beautiful about what future opponents should be thinking before they step in the ring with Manny Pacquiao:

This is reason numero uno; you should be scared to fight dudes who smile before they get in the ring!

Sorry for the quality I will put something up better tomorrow. I am in the media center in the MGM Grand and I am in a bit of a hurry because of a party I need to get to this evening.

I will have a full wrap up of the fight tomorrow. Until then enjoys these beautiful shots from the Pacman.

How dedicated am I? I just spent my first 30 mins in Vegas putting together this video for you my loyal readers. But now I am about to go get into some trouble. Feel free to put your predictions of the fight in the comment section.

Follow me on Twitter I will have constant updates of where I am in Vegas.

http://www.twitter.com/BlkSportsOnline

It takes a lot to impress me. I have performed in front of 5000 people before. I went to The Ohio State University where our football team plays in front of 100,000 every home game. I have been to NFL games, NBA games, MLB games and I have even been to prize fights before. But never in my life have I witnessed a scene like I did in the MGM Grand today. For you to understand it I have to explain how it all started.

I got to the MGM around 12:30 and headed to the media center. At that time there were a lot of British and Philippinos mulling around, but nothing earth shattering. The media center is closed off to the public, so we don't have any idea of what is going on outside.
From about 12:30-2:00pm I worked on my "Robert Littal Origins" series which will debut either tonight or early tomorrow. Sent a bunch of texts out, twittered (http://www.twitter.com/BlkSportsOnline), talk to a lot of media people and boxers (Dan Rafael, Bert Sugar, Bernard Hopkins, Shane Mosley to name a few) and avoided Oscar De La Hoya like the plague.