Let’s get this edition of Shot Clock, the mailbag. We scanned the web’s most celebrated blogs and sites for stuff that people actually care about. Here’s what we found today:
YOU WON’T LIKE KOBE WHEN HE’S MAD
There’s a reason that Kobe Bryant has five rings and LeBron James is stuck on zero. Bryant is competitive to the point of absurdity, it’s why he’s the closest thing to Michael Jordan we’ll ever see.
During last night’s All-Star Game, Kobe Bean took a flagrant (not called as such, but it was flagrant) foul from Dwyane Wade and wound up breaking his nose and suffering a concussion. Yet he played on and scored 27 points in a 152-149 win for the West.
The Sixers’ Andre Iguodala logged some quality minutes (14:11) and finished with 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field.
But it was what Kobe did after the game that showed just how much fire this guy has in his belly. LeBron James had a chance, with around six seconds left, to launch a game-tying trey, but instead he tried a cross-court pass that was intercepted.
Kobe walked by LeBron and appeared to mouth the words, “C’mon, man, goddam,” before Chris Paul restrained him. Just an All-Star Game for a guy like LeBron. Maybe if there was $1 million on the line, he’d get up for it.
NICKI NICK
Sticking with NBA All-Star Weekend, the game was highlighted by a free concert from Grammy buster Nicki Minaj. There have been reports surfacing that Nicki Nick may have suffered some kind of internal wardrobe malfunction (look closely at her bra and see if it looks unhinged).
HOUSTON, WE HAVE A RACIST
Facebook is a very public setting. (That is why I try to limit the number of co-workers and colleagues I friend on there.) If you don’t adjust your privacy settings, any dirtbag can see your drunken ramblings … that’s especially not good if you’re a RACIST!
Meet Chicago-area baseball coach John Kelly.
Kelly was frustrated over the fuss and idol worship doled out on recently departed singer Whitney Houston. Naturally, he took to Facebook and called her a “dumb stupid Ni****.”
Kelly has been suspended from his post as youth baseball league president.
SINK OR SWIM
We love a good minor-league baseball promotion. The Reading Phillies take it to a whole new level annually. They have offered Ryan Howard Garden Gnomes the past two seasons. This year, on April 5, they are hosting a Paint Your Own Crazy Hot Dog Vendor Bobble Head.
Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., the Potomac Nationals will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the ill-fated Titanic by allowing women and children into the ballpark 15 minutes before the men. No word on if Leo DiCaprio or Kate Winslet have been invited for this awesome event.
FROM FLORIDA WITH LOVE
In Clearwater, Mike Schmidt made his yearly pilgrimage to check on his former team. The greatest Phillie of all-time has a more defined role this spring and might even help Charlie Manuel out as a hitting adviser.
Schmidt also expressed some skepticism regarding Ryan Braun’s recent exoneration from a 50-game drug suspension. Our resources are limited, so check out Inky scribe Matt Gelb’s blog post from earlier today.
