"It Girl" of the week: Stephanie Santiago

This week's "It Girl" of the week is Stephanie Santiago.

Angels sign Dontrelle Willis

All aboard! The D-Train is pulling into Los Angeles.

The pitching thin Los Angeles Angels have signed Dontrelle Willis from the independent Atlantic League Long Island Ducks.

“Dontrelle has been outstanding on the mound this season,” said Ducks president and GM Michael Pfaff in a statement. "We wish him the best of luck with the Angels organization.”

Willis last pitched in the majors with the Cincinnati Reds in 2011. He attempted a comeback with the Cubs in spring training before winding up in indy ball.

In 12 starts with the Ducks, Willis went 5-4 with a 2.57 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 87 2/3 innings. He struck out 52 batters while walking 43. Not bad, but he'll have to improve his walk to strikeout ratio if he wants to stick around. Then again he's always had problems with walks back when he had his better years with Miami (Florida) Marlins. That was the last time he was effective.

This is only a minor league deal and he could possibly get called up by season's end.

Draymond Green dislikes the Houston Rockets

There hasn't been any known bad blood between the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors but things might start to heat up between the two teams this season.

Warriors forward Draymond Green has said that he 'dislikes' the Rockets.

During a game last February the Rockets tied a NBA record for three pointers made. Late in the game reserve guard Patrick Beverly attempted a three pointer and was fouled hard by Green. There was some back and forth between Green and others and Green was ejected from the game.

Green would consider the Rockets the Warriors' biggest rival.

“It is what it is now,”said Green.  “They hate me. I dislike them.” 

I wouldn't necessarily call the Rockets their biggest rival but things could heat up fast since the Rockets acquired Dwight Howard this offseason. Both teams should be headed to the playoffs so it could be something to keep an eye on as they battle it out for Western Conference playoff position.

Pistons still showing interest in Rajon Rondo

Despite the fact that the Detroit Pistons have recently traded for point guard Brandon Jennings, reports are that the team still hasn't cooled on Boston Celtics point man Rajon Rondo.

From Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe:  Just because the Pistons acquired Brandon Jennings in a sign-and-trade deal with the Bucks doesn’t mean they’ve lost interest in Rajon Rondo. In fact, they could eventually use Jennings as a trade chip and seek to acquire Rondo. There are going to be several interested parties in Rondo, and that number could increase when he shows he’s fully recovered from anterior cruciate ligament surgery .

It appears that Joe Dumars is happy with the acquisition of Jennings but if he can find a way to pry Rondo out of Boston he'll do it in a heartbeat.

The only way this happens is if Rondo gets so disenchanted with the losing in Boston that he becomes a force so detrimental to the team that he has to be traded. Also Jennings would have to be the same player he was in Milwaukee, clash with head coach Maurice Cheeks and ruin the Pistons' chance at a playoff spot.

I don't know if it'll happen but i'm sure Dumars has Danny ainge on speed dial if a deal is to be made.

Tim Duncan gay rumors won't cease

The Tim Duncan is gay/bisexual rumors aren't going away.

 A New York radio station, 105.1 broached the subject recently with Spurs player Danny Green.

 Pretty good interview that's enclosed with the piece and if you watch it, the radio station mixes no punches, they get right to the goods.

Danny Green, a shooting guard for the Spurs, appeared on the morning show for New York's Power 105.1 earlier this week. The hosts then asked Green about these Tim Duncan gay rumors.

Green defended Duncan saying he doesn't care one way or another.

"Timmy is Tim," Green continued. "I'm not going to look at him any differently. He's my teammate regardless of his sexual preferences. I haven't heard anything about it and I definitely haven't suspected anything. He's going through some stuff, and that's what happens when you go through a divorce sometimes. It gets ugly."

Indeed, these Tim Duncan gay rumors first spread because of the Spurs star's impending divorce. An Internet report claimed that Amy Duncan believed her ex was cheating on her with his male friend.

"Amy treated Tim like a b*tch throughout their marriage because she knew he was f*cking his BFF," the source said. "Tim knows Amy was cheating on him, but he's willing to give her whatever she wants, because he doesn't want Amy to tell the world he's bisexual."

Tim Duncan reportedly met this alleged boyfriend while attending college at Wake Forest. The man even reportedly lived with Duncan and his wife for two years after they got married.

Of course, these Tim Duncan gay rumors are completely unsubstantiated at the moment. They are also just one piece of what has become a messy divorce for the Spurs star. Reports indicate that Amy Duncan may have cheated on her husband with her personal trainer. Tim Duncan reportedly hired a private investigator to follow Amy.

If Tim Duncan is gay, he would not be the first NBA player to come out as homosexual. Jason Collins revealed that he is gay in a Sports Illustrated interview earlier this year. Duncan was one of several athletes to support Collins following the announcement.

"Really hope people will RESPECT Jason Collins for his decision to come out," the forward wrote at the time. "Just glad he can now relax and not be afraid to be who he is."

You can watch video of Danny Green discussing the Tim Duncan gay rumors here.

Amar'e Stoudemire applies for Israeli citizenship

New York Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire has went Alex Haley on everyone by exploring his Jewish roots on his mother's side.

Stoudemire has now applied for Israeli citizenship according to his agent Happy Walters.

Stoudemire has been in Israel since mid-July, first as assistant coach for Canada in the Maccabiah Games and is touring the country while exploring his Jewish roots on his mother’s side.

Stoudemire previously announced he had become a part owner in the Israeli basketball club Hapoel Jerusalem, partnering with basketball and baseball agent Arn Tellem. Israeli president Shimon Peres said he wants Stoudemire to play next year on the Israeli National Team, but it’s unlikely the Knicks would grant permission, since they already denied him a spot on Team USA in 2010.

When Stoudemire announced that he was going to trace his Hebrew roots back in 2010 I don't think anyone who didn't know him took him seriously about it. Stoudemire said that it's not about religion but spirituality for him.

I never thought that Stoudemire would go as far as applying for citizenship to Israel but I do applaud him for taking the time to go and find out about his family roots.

Craig Ehlo arrested on domestic violence charges

Former Cavaliers star Craig Ehlo was arrested Thursday on charges of domestic violence and reckless burning during a domestic dispute, according to a report by the Spokesman Review:

Basketball standout Craig Ehlo, who spent 14 years in the NBA and last month resigned an assistant coaching position at Eastern Washington University, was arrested early Thursday on charges including domestic violence after firefighters found family members holding him down near a pile of burning clothes outside his rural Spokane home.

Spokane County sheriff's deputies arrested Ehlo, 51, on the felony charge of first-degree reckless burning and a separate charge of domestic violence, according to the Sheriff's Office. He was booked into Spokane County Jail shortly after 7:30 a.m. under his given first name, Joel.

Ehlo played for the Cavs, Hawks, Rockets and Sonics in his career, and is most know as the defender Michael Jordan hit "The Shot" over in the 1989 playoffs.