First Place Baltimore Orioles Sign Adam Jones To Contract Extension

 Play hard, play well, be an excellent teammate and you will be rewarded. Not only are the Baltimore Orioles off to a fast start, they are currently leading the American League Eastern Division. The Orioles have not made the playoffs in over a decade. Over the last few seasons they have been finishing in the bottom of the division. Yet this season, during the start of the 2012 season, the starting and relief pitching for the Orioles has been excellent. This past weekend the front office took notice on young All Star Adam Jones. Jones was rewarded with a 6 year $85.5 million contract. Kudos to the young man and the Orioles basically making him the face of the franchise. Fans are starting to re appear at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and not just for opposing teams such as the Yankees and Red Sox. It will be interesting to see in these Orioles can outlast the Yankees, Rays and Red Sox to win the division or make a run at a Wild Card Playoff position.

Williams Paralyzed Tapia Dead Horrific Weekend For Boxing

Memorial Day Weekend 2012, wasn't a reason to celebrate in the boxing community. Sunday former Flyweight / Bantamweight / Featherway Johnny Tapia was found dead in his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Tapia posted a 58-5-2 career record. His troubles outside the ring has been well documented previously. Johnny Tapia was 45 years old. May he rest in peace. Meanwhile outside of Atlanta, GA Paul Williams was injured in a motorcycle accident. Williams is a former WBO Welterweight Champion, actually preparing for a September mega fight with young boxer Canelo Alvarez. Initial reports said Williams will never box or walk again, he is paralyzed from the waist down. Paul Williams was riding his motorcycle into the city of Atlanta, to celebrate his brother wedding, tried to avoid a vehicle and in the process landed off the road and on his back. Hopefully Paul can beat the odds. Williams career record 41-2 and is 30 years old.

Carmelo Anthony/Chris Paul/Dwyane Wade Which Has The Best Jordan Brand Signature Sneaker

Carmelo Anthony has been a member of Jordan Brand since being a lottery selection of the Denver Nuggets in the 2003 NBA Draft. Originally Chris Paul was a Nike member when he arrived in New Orleans after the 2004 NBA Draft. Meanwhile Dwyane Wade signed with Converse after the 2003 NBA Draft after his selection by the Miami Heat. Anthony is now in New York with the Knicks. Paul is a Clipper in Los Angeles. Wade is still present in South Beach with the Heat. Personally only a fan of Jordan Retros, only in colors that were out when MJ played, opposed to new modern colorways. Basically wanted to see those who like the signature Jordan Brand of the NBA players previously mentioned : which player has the best model ?

Swizz Beats / Allen Iverson Team Up To Promote Question Retro Release

Allen Iverson teamed up in a music video with Swizz Beats to promote the late May release of the 1st pair of Question Reebok sneakers. The Question has been released previously, however now with Beats signed on as head man of RBK, lets see how the sales of the Question go this time around. The year was 1996-97 and Allen Iverson was the 1st pick of the 1996 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. Iverson would capture the 1996-97 NBA Rookie of The Year award. AI would rock different PE Colors of the 1st Question sneaker. My personal favorite were the suede white and red edition. I believe during the late May release white and red edition will be the release color, only difference is leather tip instead of suede.

Lebron James Wins 3rd MVP Joins Elite Company However Title Responsibilty Comes With The Territory

Lebron James, beat out the likes of Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant to become the 2011-12 NBA Most Valuable Player. Lebron won two MVP's in Cleveland and now has one in Miami for a total of 3 MVP's. Lebron James joins select elite company, only 8 others have a trio of MVP's or more, none since Michael Jordan. James is currently in his 9th NBA season and has yet to win a NBA Championship. Personally thought Kevin Durant deserved the MVP award. However sometimes that's the way the cookie crumbles. Now their is a championship responsibility that the elite company James is now apart of accomplished : multiple NBA titles. Defeating teams you should and are expected to beat in rounds one and two aren't great achievements. The great one's stand out in the Conference Finals and more importantly the NBA Finals. James teams are a combined 2-8 in the Finals and he's 0-2 overall. Some like myself gave him a pass when the Cavs were swept in 2007 vs. the Spurs. No pass will given out for last years NBA Finals, when James average nearly 10ppg less in the NBA Finals then he did in the regular season. Clearly when that money is on the table, that's not what MVP's do. Miami lost 4-2 to Dallas as the Mavericks won their 1st NBA title. James left Cleveland to come to Miami with Wade and Bosh, so their are no acceptable excuses, especially from James who said Miami would win 6 or 7 NBA Titles.

Los Angeles + Los Angeles Battle Survive Game 7's Advance To 2nd Round

Saturday in downtown Los Angeles the Lakers posted a come from behind Game 7 victory vs. Denver. Los Angeles will play Oklahoma City in round two. Gasol and Bynum had double doubles after terrible Game 6 performances in Denver. Sunday afternoon in Memphis at the FedEx Forum the Clippers would grind their way to a Game 7 victory. Los Angeles will advance to round two and take on San Antonio. The Thunder and the Spurs will have the home court advantage against the pair of teams from the City of Angeles. The Clippers have advanced out of round one for only the 2nd time since moving to Los Angeles. Their Western Conference Semifinal appearance is their 1st since 2006. Obviously the addition of Chris Paul has made a difference. Guys like Kenyon Martin, Reggie Evans, Nick Young, Mo Williams and Eric Bledsoe led the way off the bench Sunday. Could you imagine if the Lakers and Clippers could advance to the Western Conference Finals with all games being played at Staples Center ! However the Thunder and Spurs, will have plenty to say about those dreams, each team is the favorite to advance vs. the LA teams.

76ers Advance Past 1st Round For 1st Time Since 2003

Philadelphia last played in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2003. The 76ers knocked out the Hornets in round one, before losing to the Pistons in round two. Nine years ago was the last time Philadelphia advanced to round two of the NBA Playoffs. Thursday the 8th seed Sixers defeated the 1st seed Bulls minus Rose and Noah, to take the series 4-2. For the 2nd time in the series at home, Philadelphia came back from a double digit fourth quarter deficit vs. Chicago. Down by one, Andre Iguodala rebounded a Bulls missed free throw, dribbled the length of the court with five seconds remaining in the game. Chicago was that close to returning home for a Game 7. However Dre was fouled, many fans in the building was hoping for at least 1/2 from the line and overtime. The 76ers lone all star shot a career low free throw percentage this season. He obviously saved the best for last, making both free throws giving the 76ers a 1 point lead. Chicago had no timeouts remaining as C.J Watson missed a half court prayer. Defeating the Bulls meant Philadelphia became only the 4th NBA team as an 8th seed to knock off an one seed. Along with Golden State in 2006, New York in 1999 and Denver in 1994. Sixers will face the Celtics in round two.

Thunder Sweep NBA Defending Champion Mavericks

 Last spring during the 2011 Playoffs the Dallas Mavericks would face the Los Angeles Lakers. Los Angeles was looking for their fourth straight appearance in the NBA Finals and attempting to three peat. Dallas would win two close road games in LA to open the series, then at home in Games 3 and 4, they would blow the Lakers out the gym, knocking the defending champions out in a four game sweep. Fast forward to the 2012 Playoffs the Oklahoma City Thunder would face the Dallas Mavericks. Dallas knocked off Miami last year in the NBA Finals are were attempting to repeat. Funny how history would repeat itself. Now Dallas is out after four games. Oklahoma won Games 1 and 2 at home by a total of 4 points. The Thunder won Game 3 in Dallas in blowout fashion, then Game 4 they would make a 4th quarter comeback to advance. Who knows if Oklahoma City will utilize this series like Dallas did a season ago, to go on and win a World Championship.

Mike Richards And LA Kings Headed To Western Conference Finals

Mike Richards during the off season was traded from Philadelphia to Los Angeles. Obviously that move didn't sit well with the former Flyers captain. Richards help lead the Philadelphia Flyers to the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Finals. Philadelphia would eventually lose in six games to the Chicago Blackhawks. Los Angeles would make an in season trade with Columbus, they acquired ex Flyer and former teammate of Richards, Jeff Carter. The LA Kings would make the playoffs as a #7 seed, they knocked off #1 seed and defending Western Conference Champion Vancouver Canucks. During the Western Conference Semifinals LA completed a four game sweep against St. Louis. Now they will await the winner of the Phoenix / Nashville series, the Coyotes lead 3-1. Los Angeles are playing inspired hockey and advancing with an all around team effort.

Is The Future Now For The Washington Nationals

Through 27 games to start the 2012 Major League Baseball season the Washington Nationals are 18-9. The Nats currently own a .667 winning percentage and are the first place leaders in the National League Eastern Division. Stephen Strasburg has pitched well after coming back from surgery on his arm. Rookie sensation Bryce Harper has been called up from the Minor Leagues as well. Many baseball experts are interested to see if the Nationals time is now, meaning can they continue their success for the remainder of the 2012 season. It would be incredible if the Nationals could keep up their solid play and make the postseason. The Philadelphia Phillies have won the division five straight seasons, however even during those seasons Washington has always been a team that gives Philadelphia troubles during their match ups. Veteran MLB manager Davey Johnson has pushed the right buttons thus far in the Nations Capital.