Today was a Good Day

Growing up as a kid, no two things geld together better than music and skateboarding. Both were two things I was instantly hooked on and although I don't skate anymore or attend as many concerts as I used to, this commercial is one anybody can appreciate. If you're not the biggest fan of skateboarding, just check out the mesmerizing photography that Nike SB has put together in a commercial to promote P-Rod's 3rd generation of his SB pro model kicks. Notice the special appearance by one of the West Coast's very own. Hint: "Fat Bitches need love too Craig!"

R.I.P. Arturo Gatti

Another death in the World of sports, and another troublesome relationship. This time former Boxing Champ Arturo Gatti. The Italian/Canadian born boxer was found murdered in a hotel in Brazil. Gatti's girlfriend Amanda Rodrigues was charged with first degree murder after the strap of her purse was found stained with blood. Amanda claims to have been in the same room with Gatti's body for ten hours before realizing he was dead. The two were said to have a rough relationship and were on the verge of separating.

The retired fighter and 4-time nominee for Ring Magazine's "Fight of the Year" had a record of 40 wins and 9 losses, with 31 wins by knockout. It's said he was considering a comeback, but instead he is off to a better place. Arturo was dubbed the nickname "Thunder" Gatti, and was planning on attending his sisters wedding the following day.

If You Can't Beat 'em, Join 'em!

Weeks after bringing home the Gold, the Lakers now have 1 less Free Agent to worry about, as Trevor Ariza decided to part ways and decline the offer L.A. offered him. Instead the 2009 NBA Champs countered by signing Forward Ron Artest. Artest, who's no stranger to Laker fans will now be paired up with the same man he almost tangled with during the playoffs, Kobe Bryant.

Artest, who was named Defensive Player Of The Year in 2004, proved he could hold his ground, after leading a Houston team without T-Mac and without an injured Yao Ming to a game 7 against the Lakers. However they lost in that game 7. It will be quite interesting seeing Kobe and Artest on the same team, rather than going at it 1-on-1. I'll admit, I'm not the biggest Ron Artest fan, but then again, who is? Ever since the melee at the Palace in Detroit, I've had a bad impression on him. However his act has somewhat straightened up since. Let's just hope Artest knows who's team this is and hope he doesn't show up to practice with the Lakers logo embroidered into his hair.

The signing was made official early Wednesday morning. Artest and the Lakers agreed to a three-year deal worth $18 million. The Lakers also re-signed backup point guard Shannon Brown, early Wednesday morning, however terms were not yet released. Now the remaining question is, will the Lakers re-sign Free Agent Lamar Odom?

Remember the Titans

Just when we thought we could finally get back to being positive, another known Celeb passed away. This time it's sports related. Steve "Air" McNair, former QB of the NFL (Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans & Baltimore Ravens) was found lying dead in his Tennessee home with his 20 year old girlfriend on July the 4th. McNair died from (3) gunshot wounds to the head, as his girlfriend sustained 1 shot to the head, in what is now being called a Homicide-Suicide case. Who would do such a thing was the question many were asking considering the kind heart McNair had while both on and off the field. Coaches and players alike shared their sorrow in the media, and in interviews on ESPN.

A few of the later discoveries were found rather disturbing, as detectives found out days after the tragedy that the gun found under McNair's girlfriends body, was indeed hers. Records show she bought it 2 weeks prior of the shooting. Another shocking discovery found was that all of the doors and windows were locked from inside the house, preventing anyone from entering or exiting the home. Both families claim the couple had a healthy relationship, and neighbors never heard any ruckus or fighting coming from the two.

Steve was better known for his years as a Tennessee Titan and member of a 1-2-punch with former teammate and running back Eddie George. The 2 became close friends and led their team to the playoffs in 5 consecutive seasons, coming 1 yard short of tying SuperBowl XXXIV with time expiring. The reason of this tragic event may never be known. McNair was still married to his former wife, and is survived by his 3 children.

But Wait, There's More!

After the sun finally began to come out after hearing about the recent passing's of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett, we were left without yet another well known TV character. TV Salesman Billy Mays passed away early Sunday morning after being found unresponsive at his home by his wife. The cause of death is currently unknown, but Billy is said to have hit his head on a plane trip home to Florida, while it had a rough landing causing the plane to blow it's front tire. He was among 20 others who sustained a blow to the head, but none were seriously injured.

Mays was better known for his infomercials and his adds promoting items such as; Oxi Clean, Orange Glow, Pop-a-Dent, and others. He also recently did a part for ESPN online. There's no doubt Infomercials will ever be the same without one of it's best and most known advertisers. & Like Michael Jackson, Mays was also only 50 years old.

R.I.P BILLY MAYS

Shaq Traded to The Cavs

Following Thursday's NBA Draft, Trades began to develop and one of the biggest, involved what many have gone to call the Greatest big man to ever play the game. Shaq already tasting Championship glory and sharing trophy's with some of the best guards in the league (Kobe Bryant in L.A. and Dwayne Wade in Miami), will now get his chance for a tittle with LeBron James in Cleveland.

Early last season Shaq was dealt to Phoenix, hoping to be the final piece to their Championship puzzle. Instead the Suns decided to trade away the big man before his contract with the team was up, after failing to make it to the playoffs. In return they acquire backup Center Ben Wallace and the 46th pick of the Draft. After Shaq's departure of the Suns, it looks like they're now looking a lot less threatening, with only All-Star players Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire on the team. It's likely Nash will want out of Phoenix after his final year of his contract is up, this upcoming season.

The trade will now solidify whether or not James sticks with Cleveland if the Cavs fail to bring home the trophy next season, as his contract with the team will also be up. And might determine whether or not he decides to play elsewhere (*Cough* New York). However Shaq teamed up with LeBron on paper sounds like it's going to be quite a pain in the ass for teams like Orlando and Boston to compete with. While the Western Conference looks to get weaker and weaker, and gives the Lakers a better chance to return to the NBA Finals for a 3rd consecutive year. Now we'll just have to sit back and wait for the team and fans to come up with Shaq's NEW nickname and see what corny pregame ritual's Shaq & LeBron come up with together.

Other notable trades following the 2009 NBA Draft included: Richard Jefferson to the San Antonio Spurs, and Vince Carter to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Rafer Alston among others.

R.I.P. MICHAEL JACKSON

Thursday afternoon, the world was left without one of it's biggest icon's. To many of us, Jackson was looked upon as a role model and an inspiration, especially to those in the music industry. They don't call him the "King of Pop" for nothing. In fact, Jackson has the highest selling record of All-Time (Thriller). & All together he sold over 700 Million albums world-wide.

Just as Michael was preparing for a 50 concert tour of the UK, and what many fans were considering to be the greatest comeback of his career, he was rushed to UCLA medical center where he was pronounced dead hours later. Although the cause of death has not yet been confirmed, he's said to have died from cardiac arrest. As soon as news broke out about MJ being hospitalized, hundreds of fans and supporters flocked outside of the hospital. Many dressed like him while playing his music from their cars in his remembrance.

Apart from many of his abnormal late career antics, such as the child molestation cases and the baby incident where he held one of his own dangling from a window, Jackson is better known for his impact on music and the dance moves he made while creating it. He also put an end to any color barriers that were withheld at the time, as he brought all colors and ethnics together through his music. There's no doubt Jackson is a known figure regardless of what country you're from or what language you speak. In many ways Music has lost one of its most brightest. Michael died at the age of 50.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

"Kobe can't do it without Shaq", That statement can now be put to rest as Kobe Bryant and the Lakers proved everyone that doubted him, wrong. Kobe led a Laker team that was embarrassed and out played by the Boston Celtics in last year's NBA Finals, to their 4th NBA Championship in 9 years. The Trophy was also Phil Jackson's 4th as Lakers head coach, and 10th overall. Giving him the most NBA titles as a coach, surpassing the record (9) he previously shared with Boston's Red Auerbach.

The lop sided series ended in only 5 games, as Kobe Bryant took home MVP Honors to add to his already crowded trophy case. Although it was Kobe's 4th Championship, it was the first time he had won the Finals MVP, as former teammate and Laker Center Shaquille O'Neal had won it all 3 previous years. Kobe can now brag about winning it all without the big man, and I think it's safe to say he's got the monkey off his back. The Lakers have had the record of All-Time Finals appearances (30), but now inch closer to the All-Time Championship mark that is held by the Boston Celtics (17 NBA Tittles), after winning their 15th.

& Although it's time to celebrate the victory of the hard fought battle, it's also time to sit back and watch whether or not the Lakers resign or let go a few key pieces to their Championship puzzle, as Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza are now Free Agents. Only time will tell...

The Big Unit's Big Milestone!

Last night we witnessed history in the nation's capital as Giants left-hander Randy Johnson became the 24th player in MLB History to join the 300-Win Milestone and only the 6th lefty of that group (The only player to defeat all 32 teams). Johnson, who only needed 1 attempt at the historical victory became the 1st player since Tom Seaver (Chicago White Sox, August 1985) to win his 300th game on his 1st try. RJ (45) also became the 2nd oldest pitcher to reach the 300-mark, only behind Phil Niekro (46).

Johnson secured his Milestone victory against a fitting opponent - The Nationals, who also jump started his career by drafting him in the second round in 1985 when they were known as the Montreal Expos. However the team is no stranger in making both Baseball and Giants history. The Nats were also on opposite ends when Giants slugger Barry Bonds hit his record setting 756th home run. Coincidence?

With The Big Unit's family and friends waiting and watching in the stands, many are saying we may have witnessed the last 300-game winner of our lifetime, due to the five-man rotation which reduces the number of appearances a starter can make and the scarcity of pitchers able or willing to play long enough to win an appreciable number of games. Johnson, a Bay Area native, held a press conference after the game, and thanked all of the teammates he's had throughout his long lived career, and said his accomplishments wouldn't be possible without them. The Unit's next target you ask?, Cooperstown.

Team's Johnson has played with; Montreal Expos, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamond-Backs, New York Yankees, & San Francisco Giants. Other notable accomplishments include; 5-Cy Young Awards, 2-No Hitters, 1-Perfect Game, 1-World Series Championship.

YOUR BOY IS BACK!

Last night was Conan's first night as host of the Tonight show, and was the first time in 17 years the show was hosted by someone not named Jay Leno. Conan served as Late Night host for 16 years in New York, before getting the gig and moving to L.A.

Before last nights debut, Conan was show-less for 4 months waiting until Leno's last night as Tonight show host. O'Brien's Late Night job was handed over to actor and so called "funny guy" (that really isn't funny) Jimmy Fallon. The first episode featured a guest appearance by Will Ferrell and was closed out by rock band Pearl Jam.

One thing I was worried about before Conan's cross country migration, was whether or not he would be bringing the Max Weinberg 7 with him. Thankfully he did. Apart from Conan's jokes, the daily pranks on Max were by far my favorite part of the show. After Conan's 4-month standstill and location swap, it looks like the show will be just as successful and I'm glad to say late night television is once again worth watching. I don't know how much more of Jimmie Fallon's unfunnyness and Carson Daly's humongous head I could have taken.