Dear Yao Ming,

For starters Yao, telling the media that  “If the foot injury does not heal next season, I might choose to call it quits,” doesn’t help the Rockets, or your trade value.

You haven’t played basketball in over a year, and you tell the media that you might quit! You sir, are too honest. Yao, your supreme honesty strikes fear in the heart of Rockets fans that Brad Miller is probably going to be the starting center at the beginning of the season.

I know you have been playing basketball as soon as someone noticed you were six feet tall and only 7 years old, and the constant running and jumping on your massive feet has wore down the giant bones. But Houston needs you to suck-it-up, and play. Sure you could play five more years and always walk with a limp, but Bill Walton did it, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas still does it. From now on when someone asks you about your foot simply reply, “Foots good” and thats it!

You should get around Houston and the Toyota Center on a Segway, like Clutch does.

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey in effort to quell depression in Houston responded saying “Yao Ming is working diligently on his return and has consistently received positive feedback at each of his scheduled medical checkups.” “He is currently participating in on-court basketball workouts & we continue to expect him to be ready for training camp which begins on 9/25″

Good save Daryl, good save!

Not too long ago we posted the red/gold version of the Nike Air Diamond Turf made famous by Deion Sanders. These are now available at select retailers and Nice Kicks in Austin. (2815 Guadalupe, Austin,TX 78705)

Following four days of training and an intra-squad exhibition game that were held July 19-24 in Las Vegas, Nev., USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo today announced that 15 players had been selected as finalists for the 2010 USA World Championship Team.

Named as finalists for the USA World Championship Team were Chauncey Billups (Denver Nuggets); Tyson Chandler (Dallas Mavericks); Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder);Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies); Eric Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers); Danny Granger (Indiana Pacers); Jeff Green (Oklahoma City Thunder); Andre Iguodala(Philadelphia 76ers); Brook Lopez (New Jersey Nets);Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves); Lamar Odom(Los Angeles Lakers); Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics);Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls); and Russell Westbrook(Oklahoma City Thunder).

Tyreke Evans, Gerald Wallace, O.J. Mayo and JaVale McGee, where the players cut from the roster.

O.J. Mayo played well in the exhibition game, but his only effectiveness as a two-guard must have hurt his chances. I was really hoping that JaVale McGee made the team.

The 15 finalists will reassemble Aug. 9 in New York City and train there Aug. 10-16. The official 12-man USA roster that will compete in the 2010 FIBA World Championship must be submitted to FIBA at the technical meeting that normally is held the day prior to the start of the competition.

The USA World Championship Team hopefuls will begin their training Aug. 10 with a 12 -3 p.m. (EDT) practice at John Jay College. The World Championship Festival tips off Aug. 12 in Radio City Music Hall with a special showcase featuring the USA Basketball World Championship team finalists and moves uptown to Harlem’s legendary Rucker Park basketball courts on Aug. 13 and 14.

The Festival concludes Sunday, Aug. 15, when the USA squad takes on France at Madison Square Garden, 1 p.m. (EDT), in the first game of an exhibition doubleheader. China will meet Puerto Rico at 3:30 p.m. (EDT) in the second contest. Tickets for the exhibition doubleheader, which start at $15, are available on the Web viawww.Ticketmaster.com and www.thegarden.com, by phone at 1-800-4-NBA-TIX, and at the box office at Madison Square Garden.

RIP Reggie Lewis

November 21, 1965 – July 27, 1993

{props}

DocFunk’s 2010 Free Agency Recap is full of hilarity, including the above image. As funny this is, I’m sure Brad Miller has a camoflauged version of every jersey he has ever owned. Miller came to this contract signing sporting camo pants, and a polo the Rockets gave him. Which presents the question…Did Brad Miller show up shirtless?

The world may never know! Love Miller’s smile though.

1. The defending champs added Matt Barnes, Steve Blake and “lurch”himself Theo Ratliff. This is Theo’s 9th team! Folks are all upset about LeBron’s “Decision” but Kobe, and Lamar Odom weren’t that friendly with Mattt Barnes, but that didn’t stop him from coming to LA. They are the best until they are beaten.

2. No way that I’m doubting the potential the Heat have of completely taking over next season. Getting Mike Miller will turn out to be the biggest move. Miller is gonna get so much ass. The Heat find their chemistry and the East could be in trouble. Still wish they would sign Allen Iverson just because.

3. The Celtics are the same exact squad minus Rasheed Wallace, and Tony Allen, who had to be tired of KG spitting on him and signed for less with Memphis. The addition of Jermaine O’Neal’s huge head will help, as Kendrick Perkins  rehabs till February.

4. The Magic lost Matt Barnes to Los Angeles, and had already signed his replacement Quentin Richardson. If there is any chance that they could get Chris Paul they need to do it ASAP. Orlando was wise to match J.J. Redick’s offer from Chicago but the magic may have run out in Orlando if they continue to ignore Howard offensively.

5. Crazy right? The Bulls didn’t get LeBron or Bosh, but they got a key pieces to take the Bulls to the next level. Thibodeau getting Boozer to play defense is gonna be fun, but other additions Kyle Korver, and C.J. Watson will flourish off the bench. I know they are probably placed to high on the list but their division is up for grabs with the Cavs drop from best to worst.

6. The Mavs had a great regular season, but fell apart in the Playoffs. Just like the Magic they did little to actually shake up the West. Dirk resigned for life, and Brendan Haywood gets to battle Tyson Chandler for the starting position(how depressing is that?).

Nuggets were the team to beat early last season, then they lost their coach George Karl to cancer treatment and lost focus. Karl’s return and the addition of ninja turtle Al Harrington, the Nuggets are poised to once again strike fear in the Lakers.

7. This ranking spot comes with a huge “IF’. If they can stay healthy, they can be the best defensive team in the league. Oden and Camby on the court together is going to be great and awkward at the same time. Bringing in Wesley Matthews also helps big time, although they paid him toooooooooo much.

8. The Rockets fall in the same category as the Blazers, stay healthy and you can win 55+ games. Rockets get a full season of Kevin Martin, and Aaron Brooks, and hopefully Yao Ming. The Rockets signing of Brad Miller adds a veteran center to ease Yao back into the lineup.

Rudy Gay led the Blue squad in scoring with 23 points, and just like Durant had 7 turnovers.

The entire White squad minus Gerald Wallace, and Danny Granger should all be on the roster heading to Turkey for the World’s Championships. That leaves Durant, Curry, Rose, Gordon, Iguodala, Odom and even Tyson Chandler all on the roster from the White squad.

The eight remaining players should be both Grizzlies, Rudy Gay, and OJ Mayo, Rondo, Westbrook, Brook Lopez, Kevin Love, and with all the hope I can muster JaVale McGee.

JaVale McGee played the least amount of time (9:24) but scored more points,(7) and pull down more boards(3) then Brook Lopez who had 2 points, 2 fouls, and a turnover in 13 minutes.

August 15
USA National Team vs. France
Madison Square Garden, NY
Tickets

Oh, the look on Rick Ross’ face is priceless. Its as if he had just won the rap lottery, or found out that marijuana had been legalized across the country. During the video I could not take my eyes off that wool face warmer he calls a beard. That thing has to itch. The Miami Heat should take the necessary steps and make sure that he pays double for his one seat. I’m sure he is gonna need two seats for all that ass.(no homo) Now we await DJ Khaled’s reaction to LeBron’s Decision

With NBA Mexico Game 2010 presented by HP, the NBA has announced five preseason games that will be played outside the United States and Canada this October. The Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and New York Knicks will play a series of preseason games this October in Barcelona, London, Milan, and Paris as part of NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS™.  To date, the NBA has staged a total of 98 games outside of the U.S. and Canada in 32 cities in 17 countries and territories.

The league first visited Mexico City in 1992, when the Dallas Mavericks defeated the San Antonio Spurs. Mexico became the only international country other than Japan and Canada to ever host an NBA regular-season game, when the Houston Rockets defeated the Dallas Mavericks in front of the sold-out Palacio de los Deportes on Dec. 6, 1997 in Mexico City. In October 2009, the NBA staged its second game in Monterrey and the 18^th game in Mexico overall.

H-Town Sneaker Summit Summer 2010
Sunday, August 1st 3:00 PM to 8 PM at The Meridian in Houston
Pre-Sale tickets at Eventbrite.com

The final details have been revealed for the summer’s hottest sneaker event.  The official press release for the H-Town Sneaker Summit Summer 2010 came out today unveiling a star studded lineup.  Leading off is the legendary D’wayne Edwards, Footwear Design Director at Jordan Brand.  D’Wayne is the driving force behind the Future Sole Competition as well as the designer of signature models for the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Derek Jeter, and Michael Jordan himself.  Next up is Dante Ross, consultant for Pro Keds and Marketing Director for Famous Stars and Straps Footwear.  Dante is a vet in the game who’s work spans from producing for De La Soul to creating The Terry Kennedy Show.  Rounding out the cast is Nick Diamond, founder of Diamond Supply Co. and mastermind behind the Nike SB “Tiffany” Dunk.

The event will have tons of giveaways and auctions.  As always it is a great way to see awesome collections and meet other people with the same passion for sneakers.  This event will also include the presentation of the Bespoke Nike Air Force One for the late Reggie Holloway.  For more information on the H-Town Sneaker Summit Summer 2010 check out the event info below along with the flyer.