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LeBron James Scheduled to Make Return to Cleveland

RM Franks — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 15:40:57 +0000

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Remember last August when LeBron James stuck a knife in the city of Cleveland’s back and announced on a live television special he would be abandoning them for the Miami Heat?

Well this Thursday night LeBron, Wade and the Heat are scheduled to return to Cleveland to face the Cavaliers and the hostile fans at Quicken Loans Arena. Cavs Owner Dan Gilbert has employed literally hundreds of cops to patrol the venue and make sure LeBron and his team-mates’ safety is looked after.

The question on everyones mind is whether this game is a good thing for the NBA. The actual game is proving to be secondary and reporters and media people everywhere keep insisting on how fans will be tuning in to this game to see how the fans react, how crude the signs are, and if anything over the top will actually happen.

This is just sports. If someone in Cleveland is stupid enough to take LeBron’s departure personally and do something irresponsible and dangerous, the city’s reputation will be tarnished forever. Fans should have their fun, be creative, and let LeBron know they’re upset. Anything more than that and I wouldn’t blame LeBron if he stopped travelling to Cleveland to play.

John Mayer – Apparently Not A Fan of Sports or LeBron James

andPOP Staff — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:13:05 +0000

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John Mayer was stopped by TMZ camera guys where they started talking about sports and LeBron James. It turns out John is not that big of a sports fan.

“I play music … we don’t like sports … we got beat up by guys like LeBron James.”

He also claims to fake interest in sports regularly when around “alpha males.”

And even though he talks a big game, John also told TMZ, “Whatever the next sport is, I’ll pretend like I know that too.”

LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade – “There’s Magic in the Number 3″

Jacob Morris — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 17:00:16 +0000

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Chris Bosh

The wait is over after months of speculation as to where free agents LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwayne Wade would end up for the 2010-2011 NBA season. Basically, get ready for a dream team. All three of the basketball stars are headed to Florida to play for the Miami Heat.

LeBron made the most of his announcement, holding an entire special titled The Decision on ESPN Thursday night. After he made is choice public on the TV, LeBron put out a brief statement on his website saying, “Next year, I will be playing for The Miami Heat. I would like to thank all of my fans for supporting me and I am looking forward to seeing you guys next season as I chase the NBA Championship.”

LeBron also tweeted this morning after landing in Miami about his decision, saying that “The Road to History starts now!”

Toronto Raptors fans may be disappointed about losing the team’s franchise player, but Chris Bosh has had nothing but good things to say about the city. In a statement on his website he said, “I’ve loved every minute here and I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart”.

In a statement released by the Miami Heat, Dwayne Wade said, “there’s magic in the number 3. This is the beginning of new chapter in HEAT history and very exciting for both fans of the Miami HEAT and the NBA.”

With such amazing talent all in one place, there is definitely potential for a championship and it may also sway some bandwagon fans to get behind the Heat.

So, who are you going to be cheering for during the upcoming NBA season?

Michelle Obama on Jay Leno

Stephen Baldwin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:04:37 +0000

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America’s first lady will appear via satellite from Washington this Friday in a comedy sketch on NBC’s The Jay Leno Show, BBC News reports.

Obama will answer ten quick questions from Leno on various subjects during the prime time segment.

Her last appearance with Jay Leno was last year on his Tonight Show when he questioned the high cost of her clothing, which turned out to be a moderately priced outfit from J-crew.

Leno’s “Ten at Ten” segment has included such high profile guests as House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, former presidential candidate Senator John McCain and All Star NBA player Lebron James.

Entourage Season 6×12 Review: Give A Little Bit

Jeremy Singer — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:59:11 +0000

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This Week On Entourage:

On the day before he leaves to Italy, Vince tries to get the boys to come with him, but only manages to get Drama. Turtle still trying to get over Jamie, and tries to forget about her with the college dorm girl. And Eric says he’s going to try and get Sloan back -but the guys think it’ll be pretty hard.

Meanwhile, Ari and his wife meet with the therapist to discuss why his wife should lend him $12 million to help buy Terrance’s agency. But after Ari admits why he truly wants to buy it and pours his heart out, she agrees to spot him the money.

Despite Lloyd’s suggestion, Drama decides not to read for any acting gigs, saying he’s taking a break from it for a while. While shopping with Vince, the two run into Matt Damon who tries to pressure Vince into donating a cheque for his children’s charity.

Eric drives Sloan to a surprise location, refusing to reveal the day’s events. But after he takes her to a special restaurant that they went to while they were a couple -to tell her that they should get back together- Sloan refuses to listen to him, and tells him to take her home.

Turtle tries to forget about Jamie with the college chick, but realizes he can’t. He decides that he should go New Zealand to get her back.

At the agency merging meeting, Ari finds out that Terrance put a last-minute clause in the buying contract, stating that the agency name must remain in Terrance’s name.

Back at home, Vince and Drama get a call from Matt Damon who continues to pressure Vince into donating money. Turtle comes home and tells them that he’s been lying to himself about getting over Jamie, and that he’s going to see her. After seeing Turtle’s performance, Drama reconsiders his decision about leaving the industry, and realizes that he was born to be an actor.

Terrance drops by Ari’s office, and the two exchange their nagging thoughts that they’ve been carrying all these years. After Terrance apologizes, Ari finally accepts peace, and assures him that he’ll keep Terrance’s name in the merger.

Drama gets another shot at the Melrose audition, and nails it. Meanwhile, driving back home, Eric pulls over and confesses his love to Sloan, swearing that he’ll be committed and proposes to her.

Ari strolls through Terrance’s agency on a celebratory rant with a paintball gun, pegging everyone who he had grudges with- including Adam Davies. Though, he gives Lloyd a 24-hr window to come back to the Miller-Gold agency.

While about to takeoff on his flight, Turtle calls Jamie, but she tells him not to come to New Zealand, and that the long distance aspect will never work out. But the plane takes off, so he decides he’ll meet up with Vince in Italy.

And about to leave to Italy with Vince, Drama gets a call from the Melrose producer who admits that he and the network both loved his performance, but that he’s too old for the part. As a result, they want to give Drama a holding-deal to create his own show.

Lloyd comes back to the Miller-Gold agency in agent-fashion, giving Ari a ballsy rant. But when Ari apologizes and shows him his new agent office, Lloyd happily accepts.

About to take-off, Vince and Drama are ambushed by Matt Damon who brings along LeBron James to persuade Vince to donate $150,000 for Matt’s charity.

Eric and Sloan meet them at the airport to break them the big news that they’re engaged- Sloan showing them the diamond ring. As Vince and Drama leave on the private jet, Eric carries Sloan to the car in bliss.

Watching the new couple leave, Vince and Drama wonder which one of them will be next to get hitched.

Hookups:

None

Celeb Cameos:

Matt Damon, LeBron James, Bono, Jamie-Lynn Sigler

Overall:

Let me put it out there. Despite the opinions about the unorthodox story-line this season, if there’s one thing this show knows how to do, it’s to close the deal. Entourage knows how to close perfectly.

Not only that, but this one episode presented two of the top greatest moments in the show’s history.

A) Seeing Ari Gold go Terminator a la paintball gun through an agency.

and

B) Through an unpredicted turn of events, seeing Eric get hitched with Sloan- a feat that makes any guy, no matter how much of a man-whore he is, wish to god he found the “Sloan.”

And the celeb cameos were overflowing like a fresh bottle of Dom Pérignon. Matt Damon, a webcam Bono, LeBron James. I mean this episode was awesome, upon awesome.

Not to mention that Matt Damon gave one of the funniest celeb cameos this show has ever seen. I mean pressuring a celebrity Jason-Bourne style to donate to the charity. Hilarious.

So let’s recap.

—> Ari Gold: He buys Terrance’s agency, makes peace with his foe, and becomes the King Kong of Hollywood. And did a celebration fit for a king- paintball storming through the agency, pegging off any people he had grudges with. And putting the hardships aside with Lloyd, and surprising him with his induction as a real agent back at Miller-Gold was the icing on the cake. Who were we kidding, Ari needs Lloyd just as much as Lloyd needs Ari.

—> Vince: Funny seeing him be pressured by Matt Damon. But he’s off to FINALLY begin filming his next project, which means…the real Vinnie Chase in Season 7.

—> Eric: Oh boy, what can we say about our lovable Irish buddy. Well for starters, Mazel Tov. That spontaneous proposal couldn’t have made any dude more happier. The Sloan n’ E Saga continues.

—> Turtle: Bruuuutal. Dude, always stay with the smoking college chick. But he had to find out the hard way that long distance relationships rarely work out. We left off with him making his way to Rome. We’ll see what happens.

—> Drama: The guy finally put his antics aside and realized his passion for acting. And what did it do? It made the network want him more than ever. Way to go buddy.

ED note: It’s been a pleasure doing this blog for you guys, and I will see you come season seven.

Rating:

5/5 (Yes. That’s right, I went there)

Best Line(s):

1) Drama to Vince, after Matt Damon pressures Drama to get Vince on the phone to donate money to his children’s charity-

“Sorry, he Jason-Bourned me.”

2) Ari’s epic rant in the therapist’s office to his wife as to why he truly wants to buy the new company-

“Ok yes. If I could gauge out Terrance McQuewick’s eyeballs for what he did to me, I would. And I would sell that Benedict Arnold Adam Davies in a white slavery if we lived in a place that had a market for it. And Lloyd, that little queen, who I welcomed into my home, play with my children and care for my dog, I would tie him up and allow for the entire Screen Actors Guild to anally rape him if not for the fact that I think he would enjoy it. I hate’em all. And yes I would like to see them destroyed. But THAT is not the reason why I want this company. I want, no I need this company because it’s good business, good god damn business. And if I don’t buy it someone else will, and that’ll be VERY, very bad for my business. And my wife of all people should know that when it comes to business my judgment is never clouded. So please, please support me like you always have, and I will deliver for us, like I always have.”

3) Ari storming through the new company, paint balling everyone who he had grudges with-

“I’m back…and you’re fired.”

Best Moment(s):

1) Ari going “Terminator a la paintball gun” through the new agency.

2) Ari’s beautifully acted rant at the therapist’s office.

3) E proposing to Sloan.

4) Matt Damon pressuring Vince into donating money.

Entourage Season 6×10 Review: Berried Alive

Jeremy Singer — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:46:13 +0000

Posted on andPOP:

This Week On Entourage:

Having relationship woes with jealous girlfriends, Eric and Turtle discuss with Vince how to solve it.

The boys meet up with a stressed out Drama who is afraid he’ll get cut from Five Towns. Although when he runs into a Melrose producer who offers him a part in the new show, Drama strongly considers dropping out of his current show.

He discusses the possibility with the boys about somehow getting out of his contract, and the boys advise him to call his agent.

Lloyd, feeling nervous after leaving Ari, tries to convince Drama to stay with him as his client at the new agency. Drama says if he gets out of the contract, then he’ll consider signing with Lloyd.

Meanwhile, Turtle gives Eric a lift to Ashley’s house, to settle some relationship trust issues. She’s suspicious about the identity of “Rupert Pupkin” (the name she saw on his cell phone), which happened to be Vince’s alias name. Ashley suggests that she have access to all his e-mails- this has Eric a bit sketched out.

When Ari finds out the news that Lloyd left the agency, he flips out, promising that he will destroy his life.

As this results in a tug-o-war over Drama, Ari ends up bribing Dan Coakly out of Drama’s contract.

On the way to school, Jamie senses that Turtle is acting odd and confronts him about it- realizing that it might be the sorority whores.

Making a final stand, Lloyd preaches to Drama his un-dying loyalty to him and the promise that he will be his no. one client. After Drama confronts Ari and questions his actual interest in his talent, Drama decides to sign with Lloyd.

Elsewhere, Eric meets Ashley for dinner to break-up with her over her paranoia. He and the boys then meet up to party with his assistant and her friends. And Turtle then gets a call from Jamie who informs him she got a part in a series that films in New Zealand.

Hookups:

Eric and Ashley

Celeb Cameos:

Jamie-Lynn Sigler

Overall:

Eric dumps Ashley. Ari plays tug-o-war with Lloyd. Not too bad of an episode. But nothing great.

It’s clear that this episode was done to have some closure on the theme of relationships. The problem with Ashley has been dragging on for way too long, it’s about time that Eric finally dropped her. But with Jamie going to New Zealand, leaving Turtle with those “sorority whores” will he manage to stay loyal? Who knows. He’s already thinking about it, apparently.

But I think that this season is closing pretty well. Assuming that Drama will get the Melrose part, next season will boast Vince’s new movie, Drama’s new show, Lloyd being an agent, Turtle in business school, and Eric being a full-time manager (with some possible big clients).

And hey, Eric might even consider Sloan, who knows.

That sounds like a pretty interesting beginning for season seven. So in a way, this character development season story arc was more crucial to the show’s existence than ever.

It was an investment. An investment for the writers to say:

“Hey let’s take a season off of the Vinnie Chase block-buster films, let’s deepen the other characters, expand their development, and then switch back to a Vince story line the following season- with the rest of the crew already having fresh arcs.”

So we’ll see what happens with two episodes left. All I can say is next week will be interesting. The issues will be plentiful.

And with the finale supposed to be featuring Lebron James and Lil’ Wayne, there’s still tons of wicked stuff ahead.

—> andPOP’s insider secret: Ari having another massive therapist meltdown.

Rating:

3.5/5

Best Line:

1) Lloyd trying to convince Drama to sign with him-

“I’ve seen everything from Viking Quest to the New New Love Boat…you were a tremendous young Merrill Stubing.”

2) Ari talking to Lloyd on the phone from Dan Coakley’s office-

“Why would he (return your phone call) when you’re a dead man? I’m everywhere Lloyd!”

Best Moment(s):

1) Ari going ballistic at Lloyd, after finding out he left the agency to work with Adam Davies.

2) Eric breaking up with Ashley.

Next Week:

Scared Straight- Suspicions arise when Terence wants to sell Ari his share of Ari’s old agency. Drama goes on an audition for the new “Melrose Place.” Eric goes to the doctor after receiving some disturbing news.

LeBron James On Entourage

Jeremy Singer — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 04:21:52 +0000

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It appears that Entourage is really reaching new heights with it’s cameos of athletes.

First Tom Brady- beyond awesome, then a brief Steve Nash- cool stuff, but now viewers should prep themselves to see one of the biggest global superstars on the planet, the King himself, LeBron James!

Not sure exactly which episode it’ll be, but Jeremy Piven -a huge fan of the NBA and James himself- took a little video of the guy on the set:

Tiger Wood’s Olympic Dreams

Vanessa Baker — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 07:17:44 +0000

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Tiger Woods told the executive committee of the Olympic program he would play in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games if golf was made an Olympic sport, Perez Hilton reports.

“I’ve said there is no singular decision or singular program that can globalize the game of golf like a nod from the IOC to join the Olympic Games,” said PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka. “We’re very encouraged by today and we’re proud of the support we’ve received.”

Those behind the suggested program change propose featuring a 72-hole stroke-play competition with 60 players for men and women.

“You look at the Olympics last year, and you see Michael Phelps is going for the gold medal and LeBron James is there watching him and all of the basketball players,” said Irish player Rory McIlroy. “It would be great to be part of a team like that.”

The International Olympic Committee plans to meet to further consider the bid on October 9. The host of the 2016 games will be announced October 2 at the 13th Olympic Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark. The cities bidding for the chance to host are Chicago, Tokyo, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro.