NCAA Tourney: Talkin’ tidbits
By Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
This week I am helping out with the Oklahoman’s coverage of the NCAA Tournament at the Ford Center.
Here are some tidbits from talking with the players this week:
–Kansas State’s Wally Judge said the NCAA Tourney run he remembers most is Syracuse’s run to a title with Carmelo Anthony. “He’s the best player in the NBA in my opinion. He can dominate inside and outside.”
–Ohio State combo guard Evan Turner not only has fans among the national media but he’s impressed his peers also.
“He’s the only guy in college I would pay to see,” K-State’s Curtis Kelly said.
Said Northern Iowa’s Anthony James: “He has the size, ability to play 1 through 4, or in our conference 1 through 5, he’s versatile.”
–Kentucky point guard John Wall also has fans among his peers.
“He’s the complete package,” UNLV’s Steve Jones said. “Who wouldn’t want John Wall on their team?”
–We also got into discussions about the top up and coming player in the NBA. And Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook was one of the names mentioned.
“People don’t really know about Russell and what he’s doing,” said UNLV’s Matt Shaw, who had several encounters with Westbrook in summer basketball and camps.. “In high school, he was barely talked about, I’m definitely surprised… to be doing what he’s doing is amazing.”
Shaw attended Fairfax (Calif.) High School.
–Shaw’s teammate Steve Jones brought up another member of the Thunder when I asked who was the toughest player they had played against.
“James Harden,” Jones said. “He brought it. He’s really crafty, he’s quicker than you think.”
NCAA Tourney: LeBron or Kobe?
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
I am helping out with the Oklahoman’s coverage of the NCAA Tournament at the Ford Center.
I asked several players who they prefer: LeBron or Kobe?
Wally Judge, Kansas State: “LeBron. I’m down for the younger guys.”
Steve Jones, UNLV: “Kobe. He’s proven it over the course of time, LeBron hasn’t proven it yet.”
Matt Shaw, UNLV: “LeBron. Even though I’m from LA. He does so much as a player. He can get a triple double anytime.”
Anthony James, Northern Iowa: “LeBron. Watching him in high school and he’s an better overall player. He can get a triple double.”
Curtis Kelly, Kansas State: “Kobe. LeBron is a better passer, a better athlete. But Kobe’s basketball I.Q. is better.”
PC West’s Neal named Gatorade POY
Putnam City West’s boys basketball season ended short of the gold ball the Patriots desired, but postseason acclaim is still coming their way.
PC West’s 6-foot-6 senior forward Tyler Neal was named the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year on Thursday.
Neal averaged 18.6 points and 8.3 rebounds in teaming with fellow standout Amric Fields to lead the Patriots to the Class 6A semifinals in their first state tournament appearance since 1977.
“We wish we would’ve gone a little further, but we had a good season,” Neal said Thursday while out of town for spring break. “This is a great honor, but it wasn’t just me. It took the whole team for us to be as successful as we were.”
While he remains undecided on his college future, Neal has received recruiting interest from Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel in recent weeks. He is keeping much of the recruiting process private, but has received offers from multiple NCAA Division I programs.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
PC West’s Neal named Gatorade POY
Putnam City West’s boys basketball season ended short of the gold ball the Patriots desired, but postseason acclaim is still coming their way.
PC West’s 6-foot-6 senior forward Tyler Neal was named the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year on Thursday.
Neal averaged 18.6 points and 8.3 rebounds in teaming with fellow standout Amric Fields to lead the Patriots to the Class 6A semifinals in their first state tournament appearance since 1977.
“We wish we would’ve gone a little further, but we had a good season,” Neal said Thursday while out of town for spring break. “This is a great honor, but it wasn’t just me. It took the whole team for us to be as successful as we were.”
While he remains undecided on his college future, Neal has received recruiting interest from Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel in recent weeks. He is keeping much of the recruiting process private, but has received offers from multiple NCAA Division I programs.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Jesse James apologizes to Sandra Bullock and kids
Sandra Bullock and Jesse James arrive at the Vanity Fair Oscar party on in this March 7, 2010 file photo taken in West Hollywood, Calif. Sandra Bullock has canceled her appearance at the London premiere of "The Blind Side" scheduled for Tuesday March 23, 2010 almost two weeks after winning a Best Actress Academy Award. In a statement released by Warner Bros UK., the 45-year-old actress says she can't attend the event for "unforeseen personal reasons." (AP Photo/Peter Kramer, File)
Why does it seem like every day a Hollywood couple is put in jeopardy due to infidelity? It’s just sad… I feel terrible for Sandra Bullock. She was so sweet at the Academy Awards, professing her love for her husband. Great timing for his cheating to come to light. I’m not sure if I hope they work it out or if I think she should kick him to the curb. What would you do?
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jesse James says he’s sorry for the pain and embarrassment he’s caused his wife Sandra Bullock and his three children from previous relationships.
James told People magazine in a statement Thursday that he exhibited “poor judgment” and “I deserve everything bad that is coming my way.”
Internet tabloid reports surfaced Wednesday alleging that 40-year-old motorcycle builder had been unfaithful to Bullock, whom he married in 2005. Bullock subsequently canceled a planned appearance in London for the premiere of “The Blind Side,” for which she won an Oscar, a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Golden Globe.
Representatives for James and Bullock did not respond to calls and e-mails seeking comment.
Oklahoma City makes top 10 worst weather list
Well, we all knew it was a bad winter but who knew Oklahoma City would make The Weather Channel’s list of the cities with the worst winter weather?
It’s true… it was a miserable season. In honor of the first day of spring March 20, here is The Weather Channel’s list of the worst–and best– cities for winter weather for the winter of 2009-2010.
A combination of sustained precipitation and prolonged cold temperatures from December 2009 to February 2010, shattered previous decades-old records and created some memorable firsts:
- Miami Beach, FL, and the surrounding area experienced their second coldest winter since 1927
- Baltimore, MD, experienced record snowfalls of 77”, including the nearby BWI Airport (31”) and Washington-Dulles Int’l Airport (26”)
- Three of the top 10 snowstorms on record for Philadelphia, PA, occurred this season
- This season marked a first for Dallas, TX: falling snow on December 24, Christmas Eve
Worst Winter Weather U.S. Cities of 2009-2010 season
1. Miami Beach, FL
2. TIE: Baltimore, MD, and Washington, DC
3. Philadelphia, PA
4. Dallas, TX
5. Oklahoma City, OK
6. Atlantic City, NJ
7. Fargo, ND
8. Atlanta, GA
9. Des Moines, IA
10. Portland, ME
Best Winter Weather U.S. Cities of 2009-2010 season
1. Seattle, WA
2. Taos, NM
3. Portland, OR
4. Honolulu, HI
5. Spokane, WA
6. Alpena, MI
7. Denver, CO
8. Fairbanks, AK
9. Los Angeles, CA
10. Boston, MA
SOURCE: The Weather Channel
METHODOLOGY: Data was compiled by The Weather Channel meteorology team between December 1, 2009 through February 28, 2010, and included weather conditions and socio-economic related variables, as compared to average 30-year climatological data.
Read the rest of this entry »
Brandy and Ray J reality show
(From front left) Ray J, Brandy, Willie Norwood and Sonya Norwood (VH1)
Brandy and Ray’s reality show will debut April 11 on the VH1 network.
The show “Brandy and Ray J: A Family Business” will feature eight episodes that will be one hour each, according to VH1.
The show will follow the two R&B singers around along with their parents Willie and Sonya Norwood. It will show how the Norwood family operates as a close-knit family and the Norwood family as a business.
Ray J had a previous reality show on VH1 titled “For The Love of Ray J.” During that series, Ray J tried to find true love on the dating show.
Ray J also has a successful recording career. His song “Sexy Can I” peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Meanwhile, Brandy had a successful music and acting career during the 1990s. She won a Grammy for her duet with Monica titled “The Boy Is Mine” in 1999.
Her acting credits include “Moesha,” “Thea,” “Cinderella,” “Double Platinum” and “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer.”
Stevie Graham talent test
Oklahoma State went to the 2004 Final Four with five players who eventually made the NBA. Of those five, who figured that five years later the most productive pro would be the least heralded. Stevie Graham.
Graham scored 19 points Wednesday night to help the Charlotte Bobcats beat the Thunder 100-92, and Graham has become a solid member of Larry Brown’s rotation.
Stevie Graham has made eight starts, played in 57 games, averaged 4.3 points a game (he’s Charlotte’s defensive stopper) and has played 675 minutes.
Boston’s Tony Allen actually has played more minutes this season (735); he’s the Celtics’ defensive stopper, too. Joey Graham, Stevie’s twin brother, is now with the Denver Nuggets and has played 626 minutes.
The other two NBA players on Sutton’s 2004 roster — Ivan McFarlin and John Lucas — haven’t played in the league since 2007.
Stevie Graham often was in Sutton’s doghouse and was the sixth or seventh man most of his two-year career. If Sutton, who almost always drew the most out of ballplayers, had figured out how to capitalize on Stevie Graham’s talent, the Cowboys would have been even more of a powerhouse.
The 2004 Cowboys are a great example of the talent needed to have a superb season. You don’t need five NBA players, necessarily, to make a Final Four, but it doesn’t hurt. The current Cowboys, who by no means are Final Four contenders, have one clear NBA player, James Anderson. I suppose it’s possible, but unlikely, that someone else could develop, like Matt Pilgrim.
But the 2004 Cowboys show Travis Ford how far he needs to upgrade his talent to make OSU a national contender like it was periodically under Sutton.
Miranda Cosgrove signs on for more iCarly
My daughters will be thrilled. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 16-year-old Miranda Cosgrove has signed a contract for 26 more episodes of iCarly. Cosgrove plays Carly, the star of a popular web program. The show is Nick’s top-rated live-action series in all key kids demos, says THR. The recent “iSaved Your Life” special (where Carly and her friend Freddy kiss!) drew 12.4 million viewers and ranks as the network’s highest-rated and most-watched live-action telecast ever.
Something I find interesting is that “Savage” Steve Holland, director of the 1980s classic “Better Off Dead” with John Cusack, has written several episodes of iCarly (including iThink they kissed, where Sam and Freddy kiss! What’s with all the kissing?)
- Matt Price
Who wants a makeover?
New year, new look.
Maybe your 30-year high school reunion is coming up and at your 25th, everyone said you hadn’t changed a bit. That’s not really a compliment.
Maybe you’re stuck in the ’90s, or worse, and still wear the same lipstick and eye shadow shades. Perhaps you’re just tired of the old you and want a new look.Now’s the time to quit thinking about it and just say yes.The Oklahoman is looking for some women who are open to new hairstyles and will consider a different approach to their makeup and how it’s applied.
To be considered for a makeover, send us a recent photo and tell us why you want one.
You can either e-mail me your information and picture at fashionmatters@opubco.com or mail it to Linda Miller, The Oklahoman, P.O. Box 25125, Oklahoma City, OK 73125,
