One-Armed Kevin Laue an NCAA Basketball Inspiration to All

Filed under: Mid-Majors

RIVERDALE, N.Y. -- Kevin Laue was 10 years old the day his father died, ending the gut-wrenching torment the two endured -- a cancerous brain tumor that painfully sucked the life from a big, vibrant man and traumatized the son, robbing him of his innocence and a bond he desperately needed.
If only dad could see him now.

A decade later, Laue has grown into one of America's most inspirational stories, overcoming a serious birth defect to become the first and the only NCAA Division I basketball player with one hand.

He's become something the father never thought possible.

"It's a difficult subject now, but I would have loved to have my father here to see me play -- just one game, any game -- so he could see what I've done,'' Laue told FanHouse recently. "All I can do now is hope that he would be proud of me, and what I've become."

Source: http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2011/01/31/one-armed-kevin-laue-an-ncaa-basketball-inspiration-to-all/

National League Red Sox Blue Jays Royals Rangers

'Buzz' Around NHL's All-Star Fantasy Draft Could Keep Format in Place

Filed under: NHL All Star Game

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Nicklas Lidstrom has played for the Western Conference, the World, and now on an All-Star team he selected himself.

Not that it really changed the tenor of hockey's midseason exhibition.

"Once you get out there, there's not much difference," said the Detroit Red Wings defenseman, a 12-time All-Star. "It was fun for me to get a chance to see some Eastern Conference players you don't get to see a whole lot."

The game remains an offensive showcase, and this time equaled the fourth-highest scoring All-Star game as Team Lidstrom earned a 11-10 victory over Team Staal at RBC Center on Sunday. There were no hits, very little in the way of backchecking and forwards didn't have to worry much about battling for position in front of the opposing net.

Teammates facing teammates, Vancouver's Sedin twins getting split up and division rivals finding themselves on the same team had little real impact.

"It's tough to get too motivated for an All-Star game," admitted Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp, who won the MVP award with a goal and two assists for Team Staal.

There's little that any professional league can do to spice up an All-Star game.

Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/31/nhls-all-star-fantasy-draft-gimmick-created-buzz-could-return/

Redskins Lions Falcons Panthers Texans

'Buzz' Around NHL's All-Star Fantasy Draft Could Keep Format in Place

Filed under: NHL All Star Game

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Nicklas Lidstrom has played for the Western Conference, the World, and now on an All-Star team he selected himself.

Not that it really changed the tenor of hockey's midseason exhibition.

"Once you get out there, there's not much difference," said the Detroit Red Wings defenseman, a 12-time All-Star. "It was fun for me to get a chance to see some Eastern Conference players you don't get to see a whole lot."

The game remains an offensive showcase, and this time equaled the fourth-highest scoring All-Star game as Team Lidstrom earned a 11-10 victory over Team Staal at RBC Center on Sunday. There were no hits, very little in the way of backchecking and forwards didn't have to worry much about battling for position in front of the opposing net.

Teammates facing teammates, Vancouver's Sedin twins getting split up and division rivals finding themselves on the same team had little real impact.

"It's tough to get too motivated for an All-Star game," admitted Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp, who won the MVP award with a goal and two assists for Team Staal.

There's little that any professional league can do to spice up an All-Star game.

Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/31/nhls-all-star-fantasy-draft-gimmick-created-buzz-could-return/

NFL Pre Season NFL Draft Quarterback Running Back MVP

Team Lidstrom Edges Team Staal at NHL All-Star Game

Filed under: NHL All Star Game

RALEIGH, N.C. -- No lead -- even a four-goal advantage -- was safe at Sunday's NHL All-Star Game, an exhibition that was again short on defense and long on unabated chances on net.

But the most notable stats came from the blue line and goal crease of Team Lidstrom, which earned a 11-10 victory at RBC Center. Nick Lidstrom, the captain of the Detroit Red Wings who selected his squad in a first-of-its-kind draft earlier in the weekend, was a plus-7 and Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas became the first netminder in the history of the exhibition to record three consecutive wins.

"It can go either way," said Lidstrom, who had an assist and two blocked shots. "You can be plus-7 or minus-7. It's that easy."

His defensive partner, Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators, was a plus-6 and recorded a game-high four assists. Despite those enviable numbers, and two-goal games by Los Angeles' Anze Kopitar (Team Lidstrom), Dallas' Loui Eriksson (Team Staal) Philadelphia's Daniel Briere (Team Staal), Carolina's Eric Staal (Team Staal) and Pittsburgh's Kris Letang (Team Staal), the game's MVP award went to Patrick Sharp.

The Chicago Blackhawks forward, who was not even on the All-Star ballot, had a goal and two assists in the losing effort.

"I thought we won the game," said Sharp, who won a Honda as part of the award, which was voted on by the media and fans. "It's a game where there's lots of offense. There's some pretty plays lots of nice goals on both sides, and I'm honored to win the trophy."

The two teams -- one led by Lidstrom and the other by hometown favorite Eric Staal -- sent 91 shots on net. No penalty minutes were served and zero hits were recorded.

Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/30/team-lidstrom-edges-team-staal-at-nhl-all-star-game/

Angels Cubs White Sox Braves Indians

Will We Ever See the Old Tiger Again?

Filed under: PGA

SAN DIEGO -- So much for the sentiment that old friend Torrey Pines Golf Course would restore Tiger Woods to his Tigerness.

Torrey Pines, which abuts the Pacific Ocean, is sacred ground to the Southern California native. He won here as a boy and likely can walk its two courses blindfolded without clonking any of its pines. He'd collected seven first-place checks here, including five in a row since 2005. And for his U.S. Open victory in 2008, when he prevailed on one knee, a plaque honors him at the South's first tee.

So the Torrey-as-Tiger-tonic talk picked up when Woods, winless since 2009, arrived here to launch his 2011 season.

Seventy-five touches of the ball later on Sunday, Woods was as bloodied as the San Diego residents who pay $50 to gouge this muni track.

The four-day total of 287 -- one-under par -- was his worst to start a PGA season.

Sunday, Tiger Woods signed a scorecard with nine 5s.

Source: http://golf.fanhouse.com/2011/01/30/will-we-ever-see-the-old-tiger-again/

Albert Pujols Jimmie Johnson Serena Williams NFL record Chicago Blackhawks

Titans Still Hoping to Trade Vince Young

Filed under: Titans, AFC South

The Tennessee Titans are going to do what they can to trade quarterback Vince Young.

The question is: Can they pull it off?

Young, who the Titans announced earlier this month will not return next season, is due a $4.25 million roster bonus 10 days after the start of the new league year, a clock that will begin ticking when a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is signed, ESPN's Adam Schefter has reported.

It previously had been thought that Young was due the bonus March 10, which led many to believe the Titans had to deal or cut Young by that date.

Because the bonus is tied to the CBA, it gives the Titans a more flexible window to address the Young situation.

If Young is traded, his new team must assume his contract or be willing to restructure it. Schefter wrote that while the Titans can release Young as of February 7, they have no plans to do so now.

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/30/report-tennessee-titans-to-try-to-trade-vince-young-instead-of/

Cliff Lee Shaun Rogers Michael Vick Terrell Owens Buckeyes

Albert Pujols Will Reject Any Trade Proposals if No Extension Is Reached

Filed under: Cardinals, MLB Rumors

Albert Pujols has already said he wants to end his career as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, stipulating, however, that any long-term contract must be completed by Feb. 19, the first day he will report to spring training because he doesn't want the negotiations to be a distraction during the season.

Regardless of what transpires over the next three weeks of negotiations, the All-Star first baseman will not be traded anywhere -- because he would veto any proposal -- according to a report from Buster Olney of ESPN.

Since Pujols has spent 10 years in the majors and five with the same team, he has the right to veto any trade and will exercise that right if a trade possibility for the Cardinals surfaces moving forward.

For the most part, the negotiations between the first baseman and the Cardinals have been kept under wraps, as both parties have sought to keep it away from the media. If no deal is agreed to by spring training, it is very likely -- based on Pujols' demands -- that he ends up exploring free agency next fall.

Pujols is in his last year of a seven-year, $100 million contract and his next pact will undoubtedly rival the 10-year, $275 million deal Alex Rodriguez received with the New York Yankees in 2007.

If the Cardinals cannot reach an agreement with Pujols and he leaves as a free agent, they will receive two draft picks as compensation.

The slugging first baseman finished last season with a .312 batting average, 42 home runs and 118 RBI. For his career, he's been selected to nine All-Star games, earned three NL MVP awards and six Silver Slugger awards. He's also a two-time Gold Glove Award winner.

Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/29/albert-pujols-will-reject-any-trade-proposals-if-no-extension-is/

All Star allstar PGA Phil Mickelson Firestone

Upsets Abound on Black Saturday -- Who Should Be Worried?

Filed under: Connecticut, Florida, Syracuse, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Villanova, Wisconsin, Florida State, BYU

Eleven ranked teams lost in what we could call Black Saturday. No. 16 Minnesota lost to No. 12 Purdue and No. 11 Missouri was beaten by No. 7 Texas. But what about the other nine? Did we see something Saturday that should raise the proverbial red flag? College basketball editors Ray Holloman and Matt Snyder weigh in with an impromptu roundtable, checking in with each team that was upset, in order of which they occurred.

Source: http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2011/01/30/upsets-abound-on-black-saturday-who-should-be-worried/

Athletics Ernie Els Tiger Woods Graeme McDowell Ravens

Diaz vs. Cyborg Results

Filed under: Strikeforce, Results

MMA Fighting has Diaz vs. Cyborg results for all of the Jan. 29 Diaz vs. Cyborg fights, plus live coverage from San Jose, live blogs of all the fights and live Diaz vs. Cyborg twitter updates.

In the main event, Nick Diaz will defend his Strikeforce welterweight ttitle against Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos. Also, Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza will put his middleweight title on the line against Robbie Lawler.

Check out the Diaz vs. Cyborg results below.

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/01/29/diaz-vs-cyborg-results/

Bears Vikings Minnesota Vikings Bret Favre Redskins

Albert Pujols Will Reject Any Trade Proposals if No Extension Is Reached

Filed under: Cardinals, MLB Rumors

Albert Pujols has already said he wants to end his career as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, stipulating, however, that any long-term contract must be completed by Feb. 19, the first day he will report to spring training because he doesn't want the negotiations to be a distraction during the season.

Regardless of what transpires over the next three weeks of negotiations, the All-Star first baseman will not be traded anywhere -- because he would veto any proposal -- according to a report from Buster Olney of ESPN.

Since Pujols has spent 10 years in the majors and five with the same team, he has the right to veto any trade and will exercise that right if a trade possibility for the Cardinals surfaces moving forward.

For the most part, the negotiations between the first baseman and the Cardinals have been kept under wraps, as both parties have sought to keep it away from the media. If no deal is agreed to by spring training, it is very likely -- based on Pujols' demands -- that he ends up exploring free agency next fall.

Pujols is in his last year of a seven-year, $100 million contract and his next pact will undoubtedly rival the 10-year, $275 million deal Alex Rodriguez received with the New York Yankees in 2007.

If the Cardinals cannot reach an agreement with Pujols and he leaves as a free agent, they will receive two draft picks as compensation.

The slugging first baseman finished last season with a .312 batting average, 42 home runs and 118 RBI. For his career, he's been selected to nine All-Star games, earned three NL MVP awards and six Silver Slugger awards. He's also a two-time Gold Glove Award winner.

Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/29/albert-pujols-will-reject-any-trade-proposals-if-no-extension-is/

NFL Draft Quarterback Running Back MVP home run

NHL All-Star Game Broadcast Promoted Throughout New NBCUniversal Platforms

Filed under: NHL Media Watch

As Comcast takes over NBC Universal just before midnight Friday, hockey will be impacted in a potentially positive way. According to an industry source, the NHL All-Star Game -- broadcast on VERSUS on Sunday -- has been selected as the first "cross-channel priority" for the new NBCUniversal.

A "cross-channel priority" is an initiative identified by the network's marketing council to receive broad promotion across NBCUniversal's numerous platforms.

NBCUniversal has been successfully employing the initiative for big events such as the Olympics, NFL Kickoff, movie premieres like "Despicable Me" and the launch of "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" at Universal Theme Park in Orlando, Fla.

Now that NBCUniversal has combined with Comcast's media assets, the cross-promotional capabilities are larger than ever. The new NBCUniversal has 20 channels and more than 40 websites to use to promote its "cross-channel priorities." As a result, the 2011 NHL All-Star Game stands to benefit -- as could the NHL for years to come if it enters a long-term broadcast partnership with NBC.

Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/nhl-all-star-game-broadcast-promoted-throughout-new-nbcuniversal/

Ron Hornaday Tony Schumacher Kyle Busch Dario Franchitti Ron Hornaday

Jim O'Brien Reportedly Fired by Pacers

Filed under: Pacers, NBA Rumors

Jim O'Brien has been fired by the Pacers, according to reports from Yahoo! Sports and the Indianapolis Star. The move is expected to be officially announced during a 4 p.m. press conference today.

O'Brien and the Pacers sport a 17-27 record, ranking 10th in the East. The team is also reeling of late, losing their past eight games.

The reported firing comes just one week after Pacers president Larry Bird told FanHouse's Chris Tomasson that O'Brien's job was safe for the remainder of the season. The Star

O'Brien was 121-169 in four seasons with the Pacers. Despite the poor output, the Pacers' best player in his coaching days was Danny Granger - an All-Star talent, but more help was clearly needed as players such Roy Hibbert and Darren Collison continue to struggle.

Frank Vogel, an assistant coach under O'Brien is expected to coach the team -- with input from Bird -- the remainder of the season, according to the Star. Vogel may soon have some help on the personnel front, as Bird told FanHouse last week that he hoped to acquire another scorer by the Feb. 24 trade deadline.

Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2011/01/30/jim-obrien-reportedly-fired-by-pacers/

Ryan Dungey Motocross Mick Fanning Surfer Garrett Reynolds

Accidental Collisions Cause Major Rise in NHL Concussions

Filed under: Blues, Coyotes, Sabres, Stars, Thrashers, NHL All Star Game, NHL Injuries

RALEIGH, N.C. -- There has been a threefold increase in games lost due to concussions suffered through accidental collisions in the NHL this season, an alarming trend commissioner Gary Bettman noted before the NHL SuperSkills competition at RBC Center on Saturday.

"The ideal number of concussions would be zero," Bettman said. "Our objective would be to come as close as possible to get that result without changing the fundamentals of our game. We are doing whatever possible to limit the amount of concussions."

Concussions suffered in fights and through hits delivered to the body where a player's head then strikes the glass, boards or ice have also increased this season. Bettman refused to disclose the specific numbers.

He added that the number of concussions from blindside hits to the head was down, largely due to the rule implemented last March that barred such collisions. Hits to the head deemed legal under NHL rules have also resulted in fewer man games lost, according to Bettman.

Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/29/accidental-collisions-cause-major-rise-in-nhl-concussions/

Shaun Rogers Michael Vick Terrell Owens Buckeyes Wolverines

Serena, Venus Williams' Mother Uses Twitter to Bash Kim Clijsters

Filed under: Australian Open, WTA

With neither Serena or Venus Williams in the Australian Open final, it begs the question everyone in the tennis community has been wondering, who will their mother root for?

Oracene Price took to the power of social media -- and 140 characters -- to let her feelings on Saturday's final be known. And she was just as honest as we'd all hope she'd be, even letting (hopefully jokingly) Twitterverse know that she was unsure what the finals matchup was:



After she received this all-important answer, she then quickly let it be known who her favorite in Saturday's match is:



Price doesn't want Kim Clijsters to win and explains why she wants Li Na "to kick some butt."



The first half of this makes complete sense. Price wants a new Slam title winner and she wants a Chinese player to win. Perfectly logical reasoning.

What isn't so clear is why she doesn't "want (her) vision blurred!" Does Clijsters have special powers that blinds (or affects) people's vision? This seems like something only Price knows about -- and it will become clearer in a forthcoming tweet.

One of Price's followers then wanted some clarification that she was indeed rooting for Li Na. Price responds with this response, which definitely includes an insult toward Clijsters, but its specific reference is unclear.



The use of "dubious" (which has several meanings) needed a follow-up explanation, but unfortunately we did not get one. She concludes her Twitter rant with the following harsh swipe at Clijsters:




Price probably means "Medusa stare" here not "scare," but regardless comparing her to a mythological beast is never a compliment. Chris Chase of Yahoo!'s "Busted Racquet" tries to decipher the Medusa reference: "That must mean Oracene either thinks Clijsters is ugly, has snakes for hair or will be beheaded by Perseus in an attempt to rescue his mother from the evil grips of King Polydectes. I'm guessing it's the third one."

All eyes will be on @Clijsterskim in the near future.

H/T to Busted Racquet.

Source: http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/serena-venus-williams-mother-uses-twitter-to-bash-kim-clijster/

Chicago Blackhawks Phil Jackson Charles Woodson Shaq Derek Jeter

Albert Pujols Will Reject Any Trade Proposals if No Extension Is Reached

Filed under: Cardinals, MLB Rumors

Albert Pujols has already said he wants to end his career as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, stipulating, however, that any long-term contract must be completed by Feb. 19, the first day he will report to spring training because he doesn't want the negotiations to be a distraction during the season.

Regardless of what transpires over the next three weeks of negotiations, the All-Star first baseman will not be traded anywhere -- because he would veto any proposal -- according to a report from Buster Olney of ESPN.

Since Pujols has spent 10 years in the majors and five with the same team, he has the right to veto any trade and will exercise that right if a trade possibility for the Cardinals surfaces moving forward.

For the most part, the negotiations between the first baseman and the Cardinals have been kept under wraps, as both parties have sought to keep it away from the media. If no deal is agreed to by spring training, it is very likely -- based on Pujols' demands -- that he ends up exploring free agency next fall.

Pujols is in his last year of a seven-year, $100 million contract and his next pact will undoubtedly rival the 10-year, $275 million deal Alex Rodriguez received with the New York Yankees in 2007.

If the Cardinals cannot reach an agreement with Pujols and he leaves as a free agent, they will receive two draft picks as compensation.

The slugging first baseman finished last season with a .312 batting average, 42 home runs and 118 RBI. For his career, he's been selected to nine All-Star games, earned three NL MVP awards and six Silver Slugger awards. He's also a two-time Gold Glove Award winner.

Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/29/albert-pujols-will-reject-any-trade-proposals-if-no-extension-is/

Ron Hornaday Tony Schumacher Kyle Busch Dario Franchitti Ron Hornaday

Phil Mickelson Stabilizes on, Off Course

Filed under: PGA

SAN DIEGO -- After 19 PGA Tour seasons, 46 professional victories, four major championships, more than $60 million in career earnings and a public image that can pull more heart stings than Hallmark, Phil Mickelson should be a whole lot easier to figure.

But then he wouldn't be Phil.

Few -- in any -- people in golf have ever done unpredictability bigger and better than Mickelson. Start with the fact that he's a natural right-hander who plays golf lefty.

Over the years, Mickelson has lost events he should have won, and won others in which he probably should not have even been in contention. He has been heroic, steady and good. He has been his own worst enemy. He has been lampooned for talking too much about things he should not and applauded for insight and opinions on important issues inside the game. He has gambled and won, gambled and lost.

Source: http://golf.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/phil-mickelson-stabilizes-on-off-course/

Colt McCoy LeBron James Miami Heat Cavs Cleveland Cavaliers

Video: Kid Goes Through Hoop in Best Dunk Ever Caught on Film

Filed under: NBA

Move over, Kobe, the elbow-through-the-rim dunk just got a whole lot lamer. During the Suns halftime show, a team of acrobats brought out a trampoline for what would seem to be a pretty routine performance. But the first guy to attempt a flying throw-down even The Rock would be proud of got a little more than he bargained for when he miscalculated gravity and overshot his landing.

Source: http://backporch.fanhouse.com/2011/01/29/video-kid-goes-through-hoop-in-best-dunk-ever-caught-on-film/

Pro Bowl NFL Playoffs Super Bowl NFL Pre Season NFL Draft

Kim Clijsters 2.0 Best Unretirement Ever

Filed under: Australian Open, WTA

MELBOURNE, Australia -- This could be the best unretirement in sports history. Michael Jordan came back to win three championships, but he was already the best ever. George Foreman won the title again, fat and old.

But Kim Clijsters didn't just get back to where she had been before. She has surpassed the first Clijsters by far. She has reshaped her spot in history.

Clijsters won the Australian Open Saturday, beating Li Na 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. It was her third major title since coming back to the tour following a retirement/maternity leave. She has won three of the five majors she has played in since coming back, including the past two.

---

Read: Greg Couch's New Tennis Blog

---

Is she the best player in the world? And no, I'm not talking about rankings. Someone should take the tour's computer out back and shoot it. It will still have, believe it or not, Caroline Wozniacki No. 1, even though she still has never won a major.

Source: http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2011/01/29/kim-clijsters-wins-australian-open-2011-tennis-wta/

Kevin Durant Rajon Rondo Ron Artest Braves Marlins

Andy Murray Gets Another Crack at Title for Britain

Filed under: Australian Open, ATP

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Andy Murray will get another chance to end a near 75-year winless streak for British men in Grand Slam singles tournaments after beating Spain's David Ferrer 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-1, 7-6 (2) Friday to reach the Australian Open final.

The semifinal win put Murray into Sunday's final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia, the 2008 champion who holds a 4-3 edge in head-to-head matches. Murray, however, has won the last three.

No British male has won a Grand Slam singles title since Fred Perry in 1936 -- more than 270 Grand Slam tournaments ago.

The drought endured through British hopes including Tim Henman and most recently by Murray in last year's straight-set loss to Roger Federer at Melbourne Park.

Federer is gone from this tournament, beaten by Djokovic in the semifinals. Top-ranked Rafael Nadal, who was trying to win his fourth straight Grand Slam tournament, is gone too. He was hobbled by a thigh injury in his quarterfinal loss to Ferrer.

Source: http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/andy-murray-england-australian-open-final/

Freestyle Skiing Ryan Dungey Motocross Mick Fanning Surfer

San Diego State Should Make Kawhi Leonard the Man

Filed under: BYU, San Diego State

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State's first loss of the basketball season isn't without potential benefits, for either me or the Aztecs.

l'm less likely to hear weird hippie music when the next basketball polls come out. As SDSU climbed to fourth nationally, each poll seemed a hallucination of Grateful Dead magnitude.

San Diego State above blue bloods Kentucky, Connecticut and North Carolina? Like visions of tangerine trees and marmalade skies.

Earthy clarity may also be a dividend for coach Steve Fisher and his Aztecs (20-1) from Wednesday's 13-point loss at No. 9 Brigham Young. Better to win, sure, but better to discover the fault lines now than in the NCAA Tournament, where the Aztecs are 0-6.

The best BYU team in 20 years, despite trailing at halftime, schooled SDSU at times. "Very well-coached" and "very well put together" is how Aztecs point guard D.J. Gay described the Cougars (20-1) Friday.

Now comes the crucial part.

Source: http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/post-byu-lesson-sdsu-needs-to-feature-kawhi-leonard/

Mets Diamondbacks Pirates Padres American League

Serena, Venus Williams' Mother Uses Twitter to Bash Kim Clijsters

Filed under: Australian Open, WTA

With neither Serena or Venus Williams in the Australian Open final, it begs the question everyone in the tennis community has been wondering, who will their mother root for?

Oracene Price took to the power of social media -- and 140 characters -- to let her feelings on Saturday's final be known. And she was just as honest as we'd all hope she'd be, even letting (hopefully jokingly) Twitterverse know that she was unsure what the finals matchup was:



After she received this all-important answer, she then quickly let it be known who her favorite in Saturday's match is:



Price doesn't want Kim Clijsters to win and explains why she wants Li Na "to kick some butt."



The first half of this makes complete sense. Price wants a new Slam title winner and she wants a Chinese player to win. Perfectly logical reasoning.

What isn't so clear is why she doesn't "want (her) vision blurred!" Does Clijsters have special powers that blinds (or affects) people's vision? This seems like something only Price knows about -- and it will become clearer in a forthcoming tweet.

One of Price's followers then wanted some clarification that she was indeed rooting for Li Na. Price responds with this response, which definitely includes an insult toward Clijsters, but its specific reference is unclear.



The use of "dubious" (which has several meanings) needed a follow-up explanation, but unfortunately we did not get one. She concludes her Twitter rant with the following harsh swipe at Clijsters:




Price probably means "Medusa stare" here not "scare," but regardless comparing her to a mythological beast is never a compliment. Chris Chase of Yahoo!'s "Busted Racquet" tries to decipher the Medusa reference: "That must mean Oracene either thinks Clijsters is ugly, has snakes for hair or will be beheaded by Perseus in an attempt to rescue his mother from the evil grips of King Polydectes. I'm guessing it's the third one."

All eyes will be on @Clijsterskim in the near future.

H/T to Busted Racquet.

Source: http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/serena-venus-williams-mother-uses-twitter-to-bash-kim-clijster/

Red Sox Blue Jays Royals Rangers Athletics

Mike Holmgren Knows What It Means to Win in Green Bay

Filed under: Packers, Steelers

CLEVELAND -- There is no other city in the country with a team like the Green Bay Packers, and there is no other city with a relationship with its team like Green Bay.

Mike Holmgren understood, but he really understood deeply when he worked as Packers coach from 1992-98.

"It hits you from the first step when you get off the airplane," Holmgren said this week from Cleveland, where he is now president of the Cleveland Browns. "You drive down Lombardi Avenue to the facility. You see the pictures of Bart Starr and Jerry Kramer and Paul Hornung.

"If you know football at all, and I like football ... I was kind of a historian ... you can't help it but feel it. You just can't help it."

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/mike-holmgren-knows-what-it-means-to-win-in-green-bay/

Heat Pistons Mavericks Knicks Magic

Serena, Venus Williams' Mother Uses Twitter to Bash Kim Clijsters

Filed under: Australian Open, WTA

With neither Serena or Venus Williams in the Australian Open final, it begs the question everyone in the tennis community has been wondering, who will their mother root for?

Oracene Price took to the power of social media -- and 140 characters -- to let her feelings on Saturday's final be known. And she was just as honest as we'd all hope she'd be, even letting (hopefully jokingly) Twitterverse know that she was unsure what the finals matchup was:



After she received this all-important answer, she then quickly let it be known who her favorite in Saturday's match is:



Price doesn't want Kim Clijsters to win and explains why she wants Li Na "to kick some butt."



The first half of this makes complete sense. Price wants a new Slam title winner and she wants a Chinese player to win. Perfectly logical reasoning.

What isn't so clear is why she doesn't "want (her) vision blurred!" Does Clijsters have special powers that blinds (or affects) people's vision? This seems like something only Price knows about -- and it will become clearer in a forthcoming tweet.

One of Price's followers then wanted some clarification that she was indeed rooting for Li Na. Price responds with this response, which definitely includes an insult toward Clijsters, but its specific reference is unclear.



The use of "dubious" (which has several meanings) needed a follow-up explanation, but unfortunately we did not get one. She concludes her Twitter rant with the following harsh swipe at Clijsters:




Price probably means "Medusa stare" here not "scare," but regardless comparing her to a mythological beast is never a compliment. Chris Chase of Yahoo!'s "Busted Racquet" tries to decipher the Medusa reference: "That must mean Oracene either thinks Clijsters is ugly, has snakes for hair or will be beheaded by Perseus in an attempt to rescue his mother from the evil grips of King Polydectes. I'm guessing it's the third one."

All eyes will be on @Clijsterskim in the near future.

H/T to Busted Racquet.

Source: http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/serena-venus-williams-mother-uses-twitter-to-bash-kim-clijster/

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Serena, Venus Williams' Mother Uses Twitter to Bash Kim Clijsters

Filed under: Australian Open, WTA

With neither Serena or Venus Williams in the Australian Open final, it begs the question everyone in the tennis community has been wondering, who will their mother root for?

Oracene Price took to the power of social media -- and 140 characters -- to let her feelings on Saturday's final be known. And she was just as honest as we'd all hope she'd be, even letting (hopefully jokingly) Twitterverse know that she was unsure what the finals matchup was:



After she received this all-important answer, she then quickly let it be known who her favorite in Saturday's match is:



Price doesn't want Kim Clijsters to win and explains why she wants Li Na "to kick some butt."



The first half of this makes complete sense. Price wants a new Slam title winner and she wants a Chinese player to win. Perfectly logical reasoning.

What isn't so clear is why she doesn't "want (her) vision blurred!" Does Clijsters have special powers that blinds (or affects) people's vision? This seems like something only Price knows about -- and it will become clearer in a forthcoming tweet.

One of Price's followers then wanted some clarification that she was indeed rooting for Li Na. Price responds with this response, which definitely includes an insult toward Clijsters, but its specific reference is unclear.



The use of "dubious" (which has several meanings) needed a follow-up explanation, but unfortunately we did not get one. She concludes her Twitter rant with the following harsh swipe at Clijsters:




Price probably means "Medusa stare" here not "scare," but regardless comparing her to a mythological beast is never a compliment. Chris Chase of Yahoo!'s "Busted Racquet" tries to decipher the Medusa reference: "That must mean Oracene either thinks Clijsters is ugly, has snakes for hair or will be beheaded by Perseus in an attempt to rescue his mother from the evil grips of King Polydectes. I'm guessing it's the third one."

All eyes will be on @Clijsterskim in the near future.

H/T to Busted Racquet.

Source: http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/serena-venus-williams-mother-uses-twitter-to-bash-kim-clijster/

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O.J. Mayo Suspended 10 Games for Testing Positive for DHEA

Filed under: Grizzlies, NBA Rumors, NBA Transactions

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- The NBA has suspended guard O.J. Mayo 10 games without pay for violating the league and union's anti-drug program with a positive test.

The league announced the suspension Thursday for Mayo's positive test for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Mayo's suspension will start Friday night when the Grizzlies visit Philadelphia, and he will be able to return Feb. 15 also against the 76ers in Memphis.

Mayo said in a statement released by the team that he is extremely disappointed he will miss 10 games as the Grizzlies are making a push for the playoffs. He blamed an over the counter supplement that he didn't know was banned by the NBA for the positive test.

"It was an honest mistake, but I take full responsibility for my actions," Mayo said in the statement released by the team. "I apologize to my fans, teammates and the Grizzlies organization for regrettably not doing the necessary research about what supplements I can put in my body."

Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2011/01/27/o-j-mayo-suspended-10-games-for-testing-positive-for-dhea/

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Mike Holmgren Knows What It Means to Win in Green Bay

Filed under: Packers, Steelers

CLEVELAND -- There is no other city in the country with a team like the Green Bay Packers, and there is no other city with a relationship with its team like Green Bay.

Mike Holmgren understood, but he really understood deeply when he worked as Packers coach from 1992-98.

"It hits you from the first step when you get off the airplane," Holmgren said this week from Cleveland, where he is now president of the Cleveland Browns. "You drive down Lombardi Avenue to the facility. You see the pictures of Bart Starr and Jerry Kramer and Paul Hornung.

"If you know football at all, and I like football ... I was kind of a historian ... you can't help it but feel it. You just can't help it."

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/mike-holmgren-knows-what-it-means-to-win-in-green-bay/

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In 48 Hours, Tennis Turned on Its Head

Filed under: Australian Open, WTA, ATP

MELBOURNE, Australia -- The best transitions in sports happen naturally, and by process. A star player gets old, and the next guy slowly overtakes him and becomes the top dog. It happens with teams, too.

And fans have a chance to adjust, get used to the new order.

Tennis is in a transition stage, too. But on Wednesday, it wasn't. Things are happening a little too fast for tennis' own good.

"From a personal point of view," Andy Murray said, "I would rather be in the final than watching Roger and Rafa at home, playing again."

Murray had just beaten David Ferrer 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-1, 7-6 (7-2) Friday to advance to the final of the Australian Open. He'll play Novak Djokovic on Sunday for the year's first major.

Roger and Rafa -- Federer and Nadal -- is your regularly scheduled program for major finals. At least one of them, anyway. And this is part of the change.

Just 48 hours ago, the Federer-Nadal rivalry was as solid as ever. Federer had re-established himself over the past few months on that top tier. Nadal was going for the Rafa Slam, winning all four majors in a row.

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Read: Greg Couch's New Tennis Blog

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On the women's side, while we wait for Serena Williams to recover, Kim Clijsters was dominating the tour. Justine Henin, one of the all-time greats, was struggling some in her comeback with a sore elbow.

Blink.

Source: http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/in-48-hours-tennis-turned-on-its-head/

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If Williams Sisters Are Left Out of Olympics, Expect Ugly Situation

Filed under: WTA

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Serena Williams wins Wimbledon and then the U.S. Open. She is on a roll, dominating tennis again. And then, with the Olympics coming, she says she wishes she could play for the U.S., but is being kept out.

The U.S. picks Melanie Oudin instead.

I'm imagining a future here, a very possible future. A very uncomfortable and explosive future. When you stand there and see two trains on the same track, barreling toward each other, you sort of brace yourself.

Williams, and her sister Venus, are very close to failing to meet requirements to be eligible for the 2012 London Olympics. Those requirements, though, have a lot of gray area and interpretation, and of course an appeals system.

But the rules aren't based on the right things, anyway.

Oh, this could get ugly.

Source: http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/serena-williams-venus-williams-usat-itf-olympics-eligible/

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Derrick Rose Recovering From Stomach Ulcers

Filed under: Bulls, NBA Injuries, Iowa Energy

DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Derrick Rose plans to cut back on the spices.

The Bulls' star point guard is recovering from stomach ulcers he believes his diet caused and hopes to play when Chicago hosts the Orlando Magic on Friday.

Rose said his energy is "kind of low. But I should be all right."

He said he started experiencing heartburn on Monday and still is having difficulty eating, drinking and swallowing. He initially thought he had stomach flu, but doctors at Rush University Medical Center found two ulcers on Wednesday.

Rose said they're not sure what caused the problem. But he blamed it on spicy food, saying, "That's the thing I'm going with."

He has also been bothered lately by an aching back, so a three-day break in the schedule came at a good time.

Meanwhile, center Joakim Noah was looking forward to having the cast on his right hand taken off on Monday. He had a pin in his thumb removed earlier in the week.

"I just want to come back as soon as possible," said Noah, who has been sidelined since mid-December with a torn ligament. "As soon as my hand is healthy, I want to be back regardless of what game it is."

Also on Thursday, the Bulls assigned forward James Johnson to the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2011/01/27/derrick-rose-recovering-from-stomach-ulcers/

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Andy Murray Gets Another Crack at Title for England

Filed under: Australian Open, ATP

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Andy Murray will get another chance to end a near 75-year winless streak for British men in Grand Slam singles tournaments after beating Spain's David Ferrer 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-1, 7-6 (2) Friday to reach the Australian Open final.

The semifinal win put Murray into Sunday's final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia, the 2008 champion who holds a 4-3 edge in head-to-head matches. Murray, however, has won the last three.

No British male has won a Grand Slam singles title since Fred Perry in 1936 -- more than 270 Grand Slam tournaments ago.

The drought endured through British hopes including Tim Henman and most recently by Murray in last year's straight-set loss to Roger Federer at Melbourne Park.

Federer is gone from this tournament, beaten by Djokovic in the semifinals. Top-ranked Rafael Nadal, who was trying to win his fourth straight Grand Slam tournament, is gone too. He was hobbled by a thigh injury in his quarterfinal loss to Ferrer.

Source: http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/andy-murray-england-australian-open-final/

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Kim Clijsters Cruises Past Vera Zvonareva, to Play Li Na in Final

Filed under: Australian Open, WTA

Kim Clijsters defeated Vera Zvonareva in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 at the Australian Open on Thursday to advance into her second consecutive Grand Slam final. The third-seeded Clijsters dominated play from the outset and won the match in just 73 minutes.

The second-seeded Zvonareva put forth a respectable effort with no mental breakdowns, but Clijsters' serve and groundstrokes were too powerful for the 26-year-old Russian. The 27-year-old Clijsters won 77 percent of her first-serve points and was broken only once in the match. Zvonareva, on the other hand, was broken four times and never gained any momentum in the semifinal match.

Source: http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2011/01/27/kim-clijsters-cruises-past-vera-zvonareva-to-play-li-na-in-final/

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