Mike Langy

Kwame Brown Finally Meets Michael Jordan's Expectations

Filed under: Bobcats, Kings, Wizards, Success Stoties

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Ten years later, Michael Jordan's expectations for Kwame Brown had clearly changed.

His center, his No. 1 pick, the player who for so long symbolized his shortcomings as a front-office type, had scored 14 points and grabbed 18 rebounds for Charlotte in a win against the Kings Tuesday night. And Jordan, the former Washington president of basketball operations and current Bobcats owner who learned long ago that his vision was blurry when it came to taking Brown at the top in 2001, was finally satisfied with his much-maligned big man.

"About damn time you redeemed that draft pick," he said playfully while giving Brown a fist-pound in the visitors locker room at Arco Arena.

The room erupted with laughter, the significance of the comment clearly lost on no one. More importantly, Brown was laughing and smiling too.

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Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2011/01/27/kwame-brown-finally-meets-michael-jordans-expectations/

Jorge Gurgel Andre Gusmao Alexander Gustafsson Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe

Scenes from the UFC's weekend at Ft. Hood for Fight for the Troops 2

The UFC's Fight for the Troops 2 was not just a fight card that featured two TKOs in the co-main events, or even a fundraising event for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. (By the way, the auction and donation drive will continue until Sunday evening. Donate or bid here.) Just as Bob Hope once did, the UFC also spent the weekend entertaining the troops.

UFC fighters Brian Stann -- a veteran of the Marine Corps -- and Jim Miller signing autographs.

The Octagon Girls -- Arianny, Chandella and Brittney -- hung out on top of a tank before the weigh-ins.

Of course the UFC would have a helicopter.

The soldiers on hand presented colors, and the national anthem was sung, something that usually doesn't happen at UFC events. The sight of every service member standing at attention during the "Star-Spangled Banner" was quite moving.

The scene from Ft. Hood, which was described by our photographer Tracy Lee as one of the best UFC events she's ever been to. Considering how rarely she misses fight cards, that's quite a compliment. Kudos to the UFC for not only raising money and awareness for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, but for giving the troops at Ft. Hood a weekend where they could take their minds off the fighting that they have to face.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Scenes-from-the-UFC-s-weekend-at-Ft-Hood-for-Fi?urn=mma-311136

Rodrigo Gracie Roger Gracie Rolles Gracie Royce Gracie Royler Gracie

Golf Still Needs Tiger Woods, but Ben Crane Provides Much-Needed Laughs

Filed under: PGA

SAN DIEGO -- Tiger Woods wasn't at Torrey Pines golf course Tuesday, thankfully. Allowed me and the real golf writers more time with my new pal, Ben Crane.

Crane won the PGA event here last January, then said he won because he hadn't expected to win. Many golfers are full of hooey like that. But come to find, Crane has a gift for goofy.

Clowning with friends, he recently acted a loon in two videos that became YouTube hits. The pale and bald former Oregon Duck's 90-second bursts of silly prompted more fan feedback than his three PGA wins in nine years.

"It's been an amazing response," he said.

Desperate for material since their meal ticket Tiger's gone so long without winning, the New York Times guy and three other golf writers crowded Crane here Tuesday for word on his next flick. "We're going to launch another one maybe next month," he said, like we were all at Sundance.

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Source: http://golf.fanhouse.com/2011/01/26/golf-still-needs-tiger-woods-but-ben-crane-provides-much-needed/

Tony Bonello Stephan Bonnar Lorenzo Borgomeo Kyle Bradley Jai Bradney

College Champion, Fledgling Pro

Queen Harrison, a hurdler and the youngest member of the U.S. team at the 2008 Olympics, now has her sights set on 2012.

Source: http://feeds1.nytimes.com/~r/nyt/rss/Sports/~3/nrEVHBSNkP4/28track.html

Randy The Natural Couture Dan Cramer Alberto Crane Marcio Pe de Pano Cruz Luke Cummo

Johnny Cueto, Reds Finalize 4-Year Deal

Filed under: Reds, MLB Transactions

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Johnny Cueto finalized a $27 million, four-year contract on Wednesday that allows the Cincinnati Reds to avoid arbitration with the right-handed starter and locks up another young player.

The deal includes an option for 2015 and leaves right-handed starter Edinson Volquez as the only Reds player still in arbitration. Volquez asked for $2 million and the Reds offered $1.3 million.

Cueto's deal is the latest in an offseason spending spree by the defending NL Central champions. They've committed more than $150 million to four players: Cueto, right-hander Bronson Arroyo, outfielder Jay Bruce and first baseman Joey Votto, the NL's Most Valuable Player.

"We're continuing our efforts to keep our good young nucleus together,'' general manager Walt Jocketty said. "We were able to work out long-term deals with the position players. Now we're focusing on the pitching staff.''

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/26/johnny-cueto-reds-finalize-4-year-deal/

Kit Cope Wesley Cabbage Correira Patrick The Predator Côté Randy The Natural Couture Dan Cramer

Point/Counterpoint: Tiger Woods Finally Has Something to Look Forward To

Filed under: PGA, Ryder Cup

FanHouse Golf Writer Mick Elliott runs through a point/counterpoint on the last week of happenings in golf:

Fact: Tiger Woods begins 2011 play this week in San Diego, hoping to bounce back from the first winless season of his career. "I've been working hard on my game, it's game time, hooah!!" Woods posted on Twitter.

Observation: And Tiger knows "hooah.''

Fact: Woods will arrive at Torrey Pines No. 3 in the world rankings, now trailing No. 1 Lee Westwood and No. 2 Martin Kaymer.

Observation: Woods should be thrilled. Finally, he has something to look forward to.

Fact: Phil Mickelson made it as a vegetarian for five months, but recently returned to his old diet. "I was a strict vegetarian for five months, but ultimately, it was doomed to fail," he said.

Observation: That explains Callaway's new product line: The Rescue Club Sandwich.

Fact: Westwood, the Englishman and recent new No. 1, says he will not enter this year's Players Championship, golf's "fifth major,'' because of scheduling conflicts involving his status as a non-member of the PGA Tour.

Observation: Meanwhile, PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem continues to work on ways to attract foreign stars to the U.S. So far, the best idea is Marriott Rewards Points.

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Source: http://golf.fanhouse.com/2011/01/25/point-counterpoint-tiger-woods-finally-has-something-to-look-fo/

David Bielkheden Michael Bisping Dan Bobish Vagam Bodjukyan Kotetsu Boku