The Checkdown

NBA
Monster Mash: Part Two
Sport figures ready their Halloween costumes
By C.L. Lovett|Posted 10.30.09

With Halloween upon us, I'll bet you're busy thinking about what kind of costume to wear. Well, I've done a little bit of homework as to what some of our favorite (and not-so favorite) figures in the world of sports are dressing up as...

Maybe you'll find some inspiration....

30
October
Monster Mash: Part One
Sport figures ready their Halloween costumes
By C.L. Lovett|Posted 10.29.09

With Halloween upon us, I'll bet you're busy thinking about what kind of costume to wear. Well, I've done a little bit of homework as to what some of our favorite (and not-so favorite) figures in the world of sports are dressing up as...

Maybe you'll find some inspiration....

29
October
Bristol does Dallas
Worldwide Leader launches ESPN Dallas
By Danny Nicklin|Posted 09.28.09

Remember the film Independence Day? When those huge, alien spaceships strategically position themselves over various U.S. and international cities?

That's the imagery that comes to mind when I saw ESPN's latest city/regional-centric website branch - ESPN Dallas.

All that's missing is Will Smith shouting, "ahhhh helllll naaaaawwww!"...

28
September
Kobe's got it covered
NBA 2K fans to vote for which Kobe graces cover
By Anthony May|Posted 06.08.09

Is it just me, or is Kobe Bryant everywhere?

Aside from the Lakers' quest for a 15th NBA Championship, Kobe's been on Sesame Street, 'did work' in a Spike Lee joint, been puppet-ized for Nike and was the subject of a Lil' Wayne tribute jam.

And while he may have lost his place on Mickael Pietrus' feet, Kobe has been named as the cover athlete for 2K Sports NBA 2K10....

08
June
Court jester
Media attempts to create chink in King James' armor
By Danny Nicklin|Posted 06.01.09

After LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers lost Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals, James left the court, leaving the Orlando Magic to celebrate their accomplishment. No handshakes, no hugs.

But it was refreshing to see a player so emotionally wrapped up in his team's failure to meet great expectations, that he couldn't do anything else except leave....

01
June
Stern's 'Darwinism'
NBA culture, players clutch commish by manhood
By Steve Turney|Posted 05.07.09

Steve Turney hates prima donnas with a passion.

And he's placing the blame on NBA commissioner David Stern, the man who has allowed the NBA to spiral out of control into a glorified chest-beating spectacle with an abundance of expletive-laced trash-talking with little to no consequences for unsportsmanlike acts....

07
May
Sports cities love 'Poster boys'
Individual legacies define sports teams and their cities
By iMay|Posted 04.14.09
After Cleveland's home court-clinching win over the Pacers Monday night, LeBron James referred to a history of sport heart-breakers the city has seen. He called attention to "The Shot," Jordan's last-second shot in the opening round of the '89 playoffs,......
14
April
An untriumphant return
Familiar names back in the headlines for the wrong reasons
By Anthony May|Posted 04.09.09

T.O., great grammar and a couple of guys without last names highlight today's sports headlines.

Anthony May breaks down the headlines -- and the headline writing -- in the latest edition of "Leading Off"...

09
April
Sideline twitter-er
ESPN reporter uses Twitter tech to deliver updates
By Danny Nicklin|Posted 04.05.09
I'll just say it for my co-writer here at The Checkdown.  He told you so. On tonight's Sportscenter, during the Dallas Mavericks/Phoenix Suns highlight package, they showcased the Twitter posts Lisa Salters made throughout the course of the game.  ......
05
April
NBA does it for the 'green'
Inaugural NBA Green Week not 'green' enough
By Steve Turney|Posted 04.04.09

Just when you thought St. Patrick's Day was over, the NBA scores a slam-dunk with its first ever NBA 'Green Week'. But there was no leprechauns to be found, not even Earl Boykins.

This is a well-thought out program by the NBA. The NBA Green Initiative was conceived after the NBA partnered with the Natural Resources Defense Council. From April 2-10, the Denver Nuggets, Charlotte Bobcats, and Chicago Bulls will wear green-colored uniforms and showcase taupe-colored warm-up shirts made from 100 percent organic cotton....

04
April