Adena Andrews.com

Ron Artest has a ring. Wow, I never thought I’d type that. Never thought David Stern would let him stay in the league long enough to grab a championship.

I was rooting for the Celtics to grab a title and when the Lakers won I was sort of depressed. Then ABC did me a favor, and went to a jubilant Ron Artest in the postgame. Ron Ron thanked his hood first, his family, God and to top it all off, his psychiatrist. Thank you Ron Ron.

Ron Ron  thanked his PSYCHIATRIST in ALL his postgame press conferences. Real men have feelings and express them. World Champions have feelings. Winners have feelings. Real men can see a psychiatrist too.

Yes Ron Ron may be a little off but he recognized it and responded. He recognized that this game is 90% mental and worked on it. He knew that LA and the high-pressure situations he was going to be in were going to be tough on him mentally this season so he prepared. He has a history of not handling these situations well, so what did he do? He got help. The same way you call on Kareem to help Andrew Bynum with post moves, Ron Ron called his HOF Psychiatrist to help him with the mental game. And it worked. Turned him into a World Champion.

People (my people especially) give a negative connotation to folks who see a psychiatrist when really it’s no different than seeing a physical therapist if you have a back problem. Get help where and when you need it. Lots of players in the league could have benefited from mental help before they got in trouble *cough* Kobe Bryant *cough*  ….*sneeze* Stephon Marbury *sneeze* just to name a few.

The raw emotion that Ron Artest displayed after winning his first championship last night made me, and you should have too, fall in love with Ron Artest all over again.

Yes he is brash, yes he has gotten in a little spat here and there. But who hasn’t! And honestly if you were in his same position in the Pacers-Pistons brawl, would you not have opened a can of whoop ass on SOMEBODY that night! I know I would have. Kick ass and take names later is my motto.

Ron Artest reminds me of that little baby lion cub who does not know his strength. He ends up playing slap box with a bunny rabbit and killing it. He meant no harm, he just wanted to play. But sometimes little Ron Ron loses track of his strength and place in time. But now Ron Ron has found his place. In the spotlight.  It’s ok Ron Ron. We forgive you.

From almost destroying the NBA’s image to becoming the league’s and MY PERSONAL SWEETHEART, Ron Artest. (Queensbridge!)

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If your neighbors are painting their faces while drinking and wearing flags — don’t be afraid. It’s the 2010 FIFA World Cup! This international soccer bonanza happens every four years and you are invited! Peep theBVX’s “beautiful game” guide and impress that hottie at the bar with your worldly knowledge.

1. That buzzing noise

The vuvuzela is a plastic trumpet that mimics the sound of a swarm of bees, providing an annoying – or sweet — sound depending on whom you ask. Either way, it’s the World Cup soundtrack, and the instrument is supposedly rooted in African history. Japan has called for FIFA to ban the vuvuzela because it’s disruptive and a University of Pretoria study says repeated exposure to the horns may cause hearing loss since it’s louder than a chainsaw. Earplugs are moving like hot cakes in South Africa.

World Cup Tip: Make your own vuvuzela and get crunk!

2. Rules of the Game

The World Cup occurs every four years and countries must compete for spots in the tournament through qualifying matches. The top 32 teams, including the host team which is automatically qualified, make it into the tournament. Then those teams are broken up into eight groups of four, Group A through H. Each team plays one game against the other three in their pools to gain points. Teams earn three points for a win, one point for a draw and none for a loss. The top two teams in each pool advance to the next stage of the tournament. Then the tournament becomes a knockout or single elimination where the last team standing will be crowned champion.

World Cup Tip: Do a World Cup bracket — it’s March Madness on steroids.

3. No Sex for Some Soccer Players

The English team coach Fabio Capello has banned his players from having sex during the World Cup, claiming it is misdirection of energy that could be used on the field. Four years ago, the English team’s elimination was partially attributed to partying hard with their WAGS (wives and girlfriends). This time, Capello planned on placing video cameras in the players’ hotel rooms to monitor their activities. Players either have to accept Big Brother or become more creative at getting some.

World Cup Tip: Sacrifice one thing — not alcohol, of course — to mentally will your team to win.

4. But Sex for Everyone Else

Prostitutes are reportedly being imported from various countries to satisfy the sexual appetites of World Cup spectators. World Cup organizers estimated that up to 40,000 prostitutes have been recruited, and authorities also fear local children may be lured into the dangerous practice. Paying for sex in a country with the world’s largest HIV population, according to a 2010 progress report by South Africa submitted to UNAIDS, may not be the best decision.

World Cup Tip: Practice safe sex. Well, that’s really just an everyday tip.

5. What to Watch

Catch goalkeeper Tim Howard play defense for USA alongside Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan. Recently, Howard endured a rib injury but x-rays show that nothing was broken, which signals his return in Friday’s (June 18) USA match against Slovenia. Also, keep your eye out for the Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba, a fantastic striker, who sustained a broken arm but made a triumphant return in the second half of a 0-0 draw with Portugal on June 15. Don’t forget to check out those Samba Boys of Brazil, who’ve won the World Cup trophy a record five times. Spain and England still remain favorites among fans but it’s anyone’s guess who will win it all.

World Cup Tip: Pick a favorite player or team and cling loyally.

6. Black Folks are Everywhere

Witness the African Diaspora’s reach by checking out all of the beautiful black people peppered throughout the different teams. Countries like France, Brazil and Germany have players that look just like us but hail from elsewhere. Their language and home may be different but they are still our brothers and sisters with traces back to the Motherland.

World Cup Tip: Pick a team and discover an interesting fact about their nation and how our people arrived there.

7. The Name of the Game

Americans say “soccer,” and everyone else says “football.” Who’s right? The World Cup is truly the world’s sporting event and dons a different name from country to country. New Zealand once used “soccer,” but in 2006, switched to “football” to align themselves with the majority of world. The United States is one of the last countries under the FIFA umbrella holding on to soccer. So make sure you check who you’re talking to and your location when referencing the game’s name.

World Cup Tip: Call “football” the beautiful game for one full day.

8. Root, Root, Root for the Home Team

Six host team have won the World Cup in its 80-year history, with France being the last in 1990. However, home field advantage may mean much for the 83rd ranked South African team. Historically, the furthest an African nation has gone in the tournament is the quarterfinal (Cameroon, 1990 and Senegal 2002), but this year touts a record six African nations participating: South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Cameroon. In 1934, Egypt became the first African qualifier for the World Cup.

World Cup Tip: Choose which African nation you think will go the furthest in the tournament.

9. More Than Just a Game

During the World Cup in Soweto, an impoverished area that was once under apartheid rule, blacks and whites play soccer together and celebrate their team in the streets. Once a two-day truce was declared in the Nigerian civil war to watch soccer great Pelé play. Soccer can also elevate existing tension between countries, like 1969′s 100-hour Soccer War between El Salvador and Honduras, which resulted in thousands of deaths.

World Cup Tip: Befriend someone from another country.

10. Madiba Magic

Nelson Mandela was held for 18 of his 27 years of imprisonment at the infamous Robben Island and forced to watch prison-yard soccer games from his cell window. South Africa was also suspended by FIFA 46 years ago for its apartheid regime, which Mandela fought to destroy. Just 16 years after the fall of apartheid, South Africa is hosting the World Cup and Mandela’s unifying presence rules the games, including the soccer stadium in Port Elizabeth that bears his name. Without the work of Mandela, a South African World Cup would not be possible

World Cup Tip: Discover the significance of the name Madiba.

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No drool in NBA Finals Game 5, instead we got an angry Kobe Bryant and rumbling Paul Pierce. The Boston Celtics beat the Los Angeles Lakers 92-86 and lead the series 3-2. Game 6 continues Tuesday night in Los Angeles, but see what you probably missed during Game 5 now.

1. Kobe Bryant doesn’t smile

When the starting line up is called, players normally come out with high fives and chest bumps. Not the Black Mamba. Kobe entered Game 5 looking like someone stole his bike and he was going to give them the beat down of their life.

2. But He Does Shoot

Kobe Bryant knocked down 19 points in the third quarter, his most ever in one quarter of the NBA Finals. The NBA Finals record is 25 points in one quarter by Isiah Thomas in the 1988 NBA Finals.

3. @PhilJackson

In the pre-game press conference the Lakers’ coach Phil Jackson was surpisingly short with the media. Jackson was asked only two questions and gave brief 100 word answers. Maybe Phil can start tweeting his answers to the media.

4. Stay Classy Boston

A Boston fan disrupted the fouth quarter by tossing an object on the floor at TD Garden. That fan must have forgotten that Ron “I’m from Queensbridge and jump into the stands when things are thrown at me” Artest was on the floor. Fans are lucky he didn’t have a flashback of the Malice at the Palace.

5. Paul Pierce’s NFL Homage

Paul Pierce grabbed a cross-court pass from Kevin Garnett and in the same movement tossed it to Rajon Rondo for the off-balance bucket. When asked about the stunning play in the press conference Pierce replied, “I was just showing off my Randy Moss and my Tom Brady in one play, that’s all.”

6. Say What?

Recently hired New Jersey Nets coach Avery Johnson and Russian billionaire owner of the Nets Mikhail Prokhorov sat together courtside during Game 5. With Johnson’s Louisiana twang and Prokhorov ‘s heavy Russian accent the two probably needed closed captioning to understand each other.

7. Ray “Twinkle Toes” Allen

In a show of solidarity Ray Allen and his family are wearing green for the NBA Finals. Ray Ray took it one step further and painted his toenails Celtic green. His toes were on display in the training room before Game 5. It’s bad enough he painted he toenails, but now the paint is chipping. Wrong. Just wrong.

8. Daddy’s Little Girl

As Derek Fisher hit jumpers in TD Garden he flashed a pink rubber bracelet, which he wears each game, to honor his young daughter, Tatum, who was diagnosed more than three years ago with retinoblastoma, a cancerous tumor in her left eye. Now, the four-year-old is healthy with full sight.

9. Lighting Bolt in TD Garden

Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world made a quick (pun intended) appearance in the crowd at Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

10. Mamba Stuns Flash

Dwayne Wade watched the game from the sidelines and couldn’t help but show his “stink face” after Kobe hit a dagger long distance 3-pointer in Game 5.

MY NEWEST ARTICLE ON AOL’S TheBVX.com

At times the NBA Finals Game 4 looked like a rough playground match with the Boston Celtics winning 96-89 over the Los Angeles Lakers with tremendous bench help. The series, tied 2-2, continues Sunday night in Boston with Game 5. Until then, find out what you probably missed during Game 4.

1. Shrek and Donkey

After a big play by Glen “Big Baby” Davis, the always-energetic Nate Robinson jumped on Davis’ back in celebration. Later, when asked about the excitement during the after-game press conference, Robinson said, “We’re like Shrek and Donkey.” We’re assuming Nate is donkey. Just a guess.

2. Big Baby Drools

During the same Shrek and Donkey celebration, Glen “Big Baby” Davis lived up to his nickname and let loose a long line of drool from his mouth. “If I slobber, snot, spit, please excuse me. Kids, don’t do that. Have manners and things like that,” Davis said.

3. The Return of Gino

Gino, the unofficial disco-dancing mascot of the Celtics, made his return during the team’s first home win in almost two weeks. After each TD Garden victory, Beantown fans go nuts over this little off-beat dude with sideburns and an afro. Anything to keep Gino’s legend–and the 1970s–alive.

4. No Dunks

In a sport known for its high-flying athletes, there were no dunks in this match-up against the league’s two best teams. Even 3-time NBA Slam Dunk champion Nate Robinson did not get off the ground for some hang time.

5. Nate Robinson Against Lamar Odom

Scene: After a rough foul Nate Robinson decides to get buck and get in the face of Lamar Odom and receives a technical foul. Nate Robinson 5-foot-8, 180 pounds vs. Lamar Odom 6-foot-10, 230 pounds. You do the math. You have to admire the little guy’s spunk though.

6. Anita Baker Singing National Anthem

R&B royalty Anita Baker opened up Game 4 with the national anthem. Her appearance left a lot to be desired, since she looked more like Auntie Nita than an R&B great. But she delivered a silky smooth version of the “National Anthem” that had you searching for a candle to light by the end.

7. Paul Pierce Punches Ref

Paul Pierce got lost in the moment and after a play flailed his arm wildly and caught referee Eddie Rush in the chin with a mean right hook. The ref spent the next minute adjusting his jaw, while Pierce smiled and hugged him hoping not to get a whistle.

8. Ugly Sister Chants for Lamar Odom

“Lamar Odashian” is Odom’s new nickname since his marriage to socialite Khole Kardashian of the Kardashian clan. TD Garden fans took the taunting up a notch by yelling “UG-LY SIS-TER” at Odom, referring to his wife who some might consider the least attractive sister. OK, everyone.

9. Celebrity Scene

At the Staples Center in Los Angeles you get A-List celebrities like Dustin Hoffman, but at Boston’s TD Garden it’s more like a collection of people who happen to be famous. Dane Cook, Maria Menounos, Senator John Kerry and Ellen Pompeo all appeared court side to root for the green. Where’s Matt Damon when you need him?

10. Mamba strikes again with a Mean Sweater

Sure Kobe Bryant dropped 33 points but his ever-expanding sweater collection, which he displayed once again during his press conference, is much more impressive. Bryant was surly as usual in the presser, but who cares, his sweaters are mean!

Related posts: “NBA Finals Game 2 – 10 Things You Probably Missed,” “NBA Finals Game 1 – 10 Things You Probably Missed”

I knew this day would come. But I must admit it caught me by surprise. USC, my alma matter, has been sanctioned by the NCAA citing major violations by our football and men’s basketball programs. 

We have been banned from the BCS postseason for 2 years, must give back all our wins in which Reggie Bush played including our Championship in the Orange Bowl in 2004. And we have been docked 30 athletic scholarships. 

The main reason that was cited for the harsh penalties was “lack of institutional control” 

Ouch. 

Yes, the students were wrong. And the athletic staff that knew about these infractions are just as guilty. I will always recognize this, no doubt. No one is above the law. Rules are rules. I’m not making excuses for USC. It’s despicable. Especially after I read things like, Reggie Bush received a car, didn’t list where he got it from and the university never checked! I know student-athletes who would not accept birthday cards with money in them for fear they may get in trouble. But Reggie can stunt with a new vehicle and no one asks questions? GTFOH! 

 

You can read the full  NCAA report here. 

I wanted to write this article not from a personal place and not use the term “We” when talking about the university. Afterall, no one at the university is paying at this moment (but they can if they like!). But I am awfully connected to my university and had the best college experience ever at a fantastic university I wouldn’t want to disconnect myself from it, even in its darkest hour. (Which by the way we have gone through way worse… O.J., L.A. Riots and I think there was a pending rape case every summer I came back from break also). And yes, thank you Mom and Dad for paying my way to be fun and carefree for four years in sunny LA. 

What I want to stop is the “USCheater” crap. Please don’t act like USC is the only school that has done this. This is the culture of collegiate athletics at a high level. It’s just a matter of who hides it the best and who gets caught first. Please believe this.  

Also who are all these newfound USC haters chasing us like an angry mob with their torches lit? Before today you couldn’t even spell USC. But today you are totally ethical and an expert on NCAA sanctions? C’mon son. Besides UCLA students who have a legitimate reason to hate us, because we steal their shine in the City of Angels, others are just bandwagon haters. It reminds me of people who hate on Kobe  just cause he is a winner. When your school is a breeding ground for the NFL and you maintain power in your conference, they all want to hate. It’s lonely at the top. If I had a dollar for every time some yelled at me while wearing a USC shirt, I could probably have purchased Reggie Bush’s plane ticket that he was sanctioned for.     

A man at a restaurant once overheard me say I went to USC and he decided to yell “USC can suck my dick!” while my mom and I ate. Stay classy SEC fans! 

 And today I decided to go on a “Why USC is Great!” rant on Twitter, and folks told me to be quiet and stop being defensive. Why is it that you have a problem with me preaching great things about my university? I’m just bringing a little light to the darkness. I’d do this even if USC wasn’t sanctioned. It’s just part of my Cardinal and Gold makeup.

 Call me brainwashed, call me the black kid who went to the “majority, white and non-traditional party school”, or an alum of the University of Spoiled Children… YAWN… it all bores me. Work on your originality and get back to me.

Fight On!  

Did you find yourself watching Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night and were totally confused when Jesus was guarding The Black Mamba? Or were you lost when The Truth took down Fish?  Well,  AdenaAndrews.com has you covered, breaking down all the nicknames and lingo of this storied matchup between Los Angeles and Boston.

Who: Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics

When: June 3, June 6, June 8, June 10, June 13 (if neccessary), June 15 (if neccessary), June 17 (if neccessary)

Why: The Lakers (16 championships) and Celtics (17 championships) are the two most successful franchises in NBA history have met in the finals 12 times .The matchup has seen the likes of Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlin, Bill Russell, Kevin McHale, James Worthy and other Hall of Famers go head to head over the past four decades.

The Cast

BOSTON CELTICS

The Truth a.k.a Paul Pierce
Origin: Shaquille O’Neal, in the midst of his three-peat and a role as the most dominant force in the game, pulled a Boston reporter aside and offered the following: “Take this down. My name is Shaquille O’Neal, and Paul Pierce is the [expletive] truth. Quote me on that, and don’t take nothing out. (via ESPN.com)

KG  a.k.a Kevin Garnett
Origin: Obviously this is his intials. You may also hear him refered to as The Big Ticket. Probably by ESPN announcer Mark Jackson when he is searching for words.

Jesus  a.k.a Ray Allen
Origin: In the 1998 Spike Lee film He Got Game, a young Ray Allen played a high school basketball standout from Coney Island named Jesus Shuttlesworth. Allen played the hell out of his role and the movie went on to live in basketball lore.

Sheed  a.k.a Rasheed Wallace
Origin: Just a shortening of his first name. Something we like to do a lot in the basketball world. If you don’t know which player is Sheed, just look for the one that looks like he needs some change and a hot shower.

Big Baby  a.k.a Glen Davis

Orgin: When he was a 9-year-old playing pee-wee football, where because of his size he had to play against kids three years older and, when he felt like he was being bullied by the elders and reacted, his coach would yell, “Stop crying, you big baby.”  (via NYPOST)

LOS ANGELES LAKERS

Black Mamba  a.k.a Kobe Bryant
Origin: Bryant started calling himself  “Black Mamba” a few years ago, explaining to ESPN, “The mamba can strike with 99% accuracy at maximum speed, in rapid succession. That’s the kind of basketball precision I want to have.” (How lame are you if you make up your own nickname?)

Ron Ron  a.k.a Ron Artest
Origin: Simple it’s his name. He can also be referred to as Queensbridge, the housing project in New York that he calls home and shouts out during every interview.

Fish  a.k.a Derek Fisher
Origin: Shortening his last name of course. It’s fun to yell, GO FISH! (like the card game) when he is on the court.

The Spaniard  a.k.a Pau Gasol
Origin: ESPANA! The Spainard has been pegged soft as a Pau-ssy Cat (via @bomani_jones) this postseason but is attemting to shed that reputation with tough play in The Finals.

Coach Zen Master a.k.a Phil Jackson
Origin: Jackson defines himself as a Zen Christian and is known to apply spiritual practicesto basketball as stated in his book Sacred Hoops. The 10-time NBA Champion has used unorthodox practices with his teams like practicing without a ball or cleansing the lockeroom with sage.

In less than a month LeBron James is coming to a city near you! No, really he is. In his attempt to take even more attention away from the NBA Finals and other free agents available this summer he has planned a Free Agency Sumer Tour to cities that may be able to scoop him up in the Free Agency market. New York, New Jersey, Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles (just for the Hollywood aspect) are on his agenda for this summer. James is even in discussions with NIKE to make a customized shoe for every city he visits. 

With all this hype I tell you one thing, LeBron James and his mammoth-sized ego better learn how to win just as well as they do public relations. These cities that are begging… I mean campaining for The King to come to their town are expecting greatness and nothing more. Just ask the folks at SendLeBronToChicago.com who put this billboard up predicting another championship and wanting LBJ to finish Jordan’s work. 

That’s right LeBron, your hometown hero routine won’t work outside of Cleveland. No more cute little pregame routines.THESE CITIES WANT RESULTS! Especially Chicago and Miami. These are teams that have seen the postseason or even tasted a championship in the past decade. New York and New Jersey may just settle for a Coke and your smile for one season. But the Nathan’s Hot Dogs will hit the fan if  you don’t put some sort of banner up in MSG by season two. I can’t and won’t speak for New Jersey a.k.a The Armpit of America. So go ahead, tour the nation LeBron, sell your shoes, get folks hyped. Just makes sure your game can back up all your fancy PR.  

Honeymoon’s over LBJ. It’s Winning Time.