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.

Kellen Winslow Jr. looking to have a 100 catch season

Kellen Winslow Jr.'s bark has been more than his bite since he's came into the NFL. He's had some productive seasons but he's not the player he talks himself up to be. In fairness he's seen his share of injuries but if you're as good as you say you are, Winslow would overcome injury and wouldn't be playing on his fourth team in his career.

After last season's one game, one catch performance with the New England Patriots, Winslow signed with the New York Jets and has set some lofty goals for himself. Winslow told the Wall Street Journal  that his goal is to have 100 catches. A very lofty goal indeed. Winslow's career high for catches was 89 with the Cleveland Browns in 2006.

"My goal is to have 100 catches," Winslow said. "Will I have 100? I don't know. I might have 20, you know? But that's my goal. You play this game for something, and I know at the end of the day that's going to help my team win because that's what I do best."

"There's always been questions, every season," Winslow, who signed a one-year contract with the Jets last month for a base salary of $840,000, said Thursday. "Every season, there's something said about somebody, that they can't do something. That's what motivates people."

No one is questioning Winslow's motivation, but it's been a question of his health. He can be a contributor to a Jets offense that needs all the contributions it can get, but 100 catches are out of the question in their offense.

With either Mark Sanchez or Geno Smith lobbing passes all season I highly doubt Winslow will reach his goal. Just concentrate on helping the team win.

Lance Berkman won't retire because the Rangers need help on offense

Texas Rangers DH Lance Berkman hasn't played in a game in four weeks. He's been on the disabled list with an inflamed hip and his knees have given him problems for years. Berkman thought about retirement but has put those thoughts to rest with the Rangers in a pennant chase.

Berkman says he reconsidered retiring because he felt the Rangers needed some help on offense. He hopes to rejoin the team within the next two weeks.

“That we didn’t trade for anybody and that we still don’t know what is going to happen with Nelson [Cruz], I feel like if I push myself and endure a little discomfort, I can get out there and try to do something to help this team win,” Berkman said. “I’ve made up my mind to try and play. This team needs a bat and I’m gonna do my dangdest to make that happen.”  

Cruz is facing a 50 game suspension for his alleged ties to the Biogenesis scandal that has been the news around baseball.

I don't doubt that Berkman loves the game but it's kind of refreshing to see a player that desperately wants to help his team win and doesn't want to sit idling on the sidelines. I don't know how much he can help, but he feels he has enough left in the tank to contribute.  

Giants' receiver Victor Cruz not a fan of the revamped Pro Bowl

The NFL decided to add a new wrinkle to their useless All-Star game, known as the Pro Bowl.

The AFC vs. NFC format is no longer in place. The NFL took a page from the NHL's playbook and will have teams chosen by team captains, with Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders being honorary captains . Fan voting will determine the draft pool.

Additional changes also included: The NFL also said it is having a two-minute warning at the end of the first and third quarters and possession will change at the end of every quarter, giving fans more opportunities to watch teams play in the two-minute drill. There are also a few other changes, such as kickoffs being eliminated, zone coverage by defensive backs being allowed and a shorter play clock.

There haven't been too many known player reactions to the changes but New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz isn't a big fan of it.

"Not the biggest fan of it to be honest with you," Cruz said, via the New York Daily News. "But you know, they're trying to make the Pro Bowl fun again, and I respect it. I like Jerry [Rice] and Deion [Sanders] so it should be some fun interaction between those guys. But it's all good. I'm just worried about doing what I have to on the field. And the Pro Bowl and everything will take care of itself."

Cruz and most of America seem to be in lockstep on this opinion.

Personally I'm with 99% of the NFL fans who are in violent agreement: get rid of the Pro Bowl already!  It's a stupid, no-meaning game designed to make money through entertainment.  It has nothing to do with the serious game of football.  It's just a huge blemish, weighing down a popular sport like an anchor.