NBA FrontPage

Time to Say Good Bye

noreply@blogger.com (dayvee) — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 18:44:00 +0000

We've have a great run.

But now it's time to say goodbye.

NBA-FP started as video podcast in 2008, that proved to be very successful.

It was birthed from my time at Turner Sports covering feature stories.

Dayvee Sutton with the NBA Championship trophy

At the time, there wasn't an outlet to share off-the-court stories, but I knew there was an audience.
Fast forward to today, and the success of TMZ has proved all of my doubters wrong.

Two years after our launch, and after the demand for a blog grew, I finally gave in and created this space.
I knew it would be daunting, but with the help of great supporters I was able to keep it going.

Thanks to all of our writers: William L. Falkenhainer, Marty O'Connor, Chris, TJ, Mike Feld, Zachey, Joseph Genovese, Ericka Birdsong, Joey Murr, Manny, Tommy Zukoski and Deniz Kofteci for believing in the vision, giving me a chance and sharing your talent as a writer with us.
In 2009 I met Joel Hillsman who believed in my vision and eventually would partner up with me to help run the operations. He really held us down until the very end.

Joel Hillsman has moved on to make his name as a key broadcaster for the National Football High School Network.

It was fun to see this blog and video web series grow. The game changer was Deniz Kofteci broke the story of Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian. I remember the call she gave me and when we went with it, it changed the popularity of our little operation. I watched the ticker that tracked our site stats go bonkers, and I thought it was broke. Over night, we had over 40,000 new readers, and we were the website named as breaking the story.

Then our investigation on the Tony Parker/Eva Longoria divorce, which gave new perspective of what main stream media reported, was another game changer. While everyone reported that Tony Parker cheated on his wife with a former teammate's wife, our sources, which included staff from actress Penelope Cruz, staff with the Spurs and our L.A. reporter, drew out the story that Eva Longoria (also) cheated on her husband, with Cruz's brother. And months later, after the divorce was finalized, Eva introduced the world to her new beau- Eduardo Cruz.

One thing I was adamant about, was that I never wanted to have a retraction with our stories, no matter how risky they were. And we accomplished that!

The web series was the foundation of this whole operation and something I am very proud of. At first, I rigged a studio in my camera. I would curate stories all week, then produce, record, upload on Thursdays. It would take six hours to do this.

The first seasons of NBA FrontPage were shot by me from my home studio.

In 2009, Thea Marcacci and Jeff Batten allowed me to use the Atlanta Broadcast Institute to record the web series. It was great to have their help, but still hard work and long days.

We had rotating help, but Thea, Joel, and hosts Angelica Suffren and Jennifer Mackey, held the show down when I moved from Atlanta, GA to Charlotte, NC.

I loved what we were building. I just needed to quit my job to make it reach it's full potential. But, as broadcast TV opportunities continued to present themselves, I just couldn't keep up both.

And now we are here. I think we had a good run. I contemplated in the off-season to bring it back. But after discussing it with Joel, as a business, it was no longer worth it for either of us.

It's been four years. Everything has a season. The NBA teaches us that. Four All-Star Games, and Four Finals. We truly love this game, the community we built and this website was for the love of the players.

Good night NBA FrontPage.

LeBron's Engagement Kicks

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:44:00 +0000

LeBron plans on sporting these kicks for his engagement party.

Nike LeBron 9 Engagement Shoes

The Engagement date is on the tongue of the shoe

Do you like this idea?

Bosh's Welcome Baby Boy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:41:00 +0000

Chris and Adrienne Bosh welcomes their first child together, a baby boy, this morning in Miami, FL. Shortly after the birth Adrienne Tweeted....

From a Dream, To a Thought, To Reality, To being in our Arms :) Thank you all for the Positive wishes & thoughts!
— Adrienne Bosh (@MrsAdrienneBosh) May 3, 2012

Chris Bosh holds his new baby boy

Chris and Adrienne Bosh are new parents

Spotted: Jason Kidd And Wife

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 03:48:00 +0000

Jason Kidd and his wife, model Porschla Coleman are expecting a child and she recently showed off her beautiful belly

Jason Kidd and wife Porschla Coleman

The Kidd's

Jason and Porschla were recently spotted kicking it at Jason's teammate Delonte West's casino night party a couple of months ago. Congrats to the couple.

Jay-Z Dons Brooklyn Nets Logo

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 23:48:00 +0000

Life in New Jersey is over for the Nets and that means there has to be another logo for the squad once they move to Brooklyn next season....

Brooklyn Nets Co-Owner Jay-Z

Your curiosity has been satisfied.

Brooklyn Nets Logo

Overall not to bad.

Source

Video: Kobe Disappears

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 23:04:00 +0000

Kobe Bryant was getting some work in last week despite not playing against the Golden State Warriors. While at the arena Kobe decided to have some fun with the camera guys and disappears. Just Kobe doing what he does shaking all defenses.

Video: Gabrielle Calls Out D.Wade

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:16:00 +0000

While recently doing an interview on Conan, Gabrielle Union calls out Dwyane Wade for not know anything about Pretty in Pink or Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Here is where the world learned the truth...

She says he was just a fetus back then, but I'm years younger than him and I love Ferris Bueller. No excuses Wade.

Check out the video here and see how D. Wade looked dressed as LL Cool J.

Source

Video: Fan Makes a Song about World Peace's Elbow

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:45:00 +0000

Stephanie says, "change your name back to Artest."

This fan, Stephanie K, created her own "one-minute song" about the elbow Metta World Peace delivered to James Hardin.

Not a bad job. The vocals could have been a little better, but she did a good job getting the point across.

Source

Vintage: Spalding Comic

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:33:00 +0000

Check out this vintage comic advertisement for Spalding, featuring Rick Barry and Dr. J.

Get the Spalding touch with an autographed ball.

Source

Chris Paul and Wife are Expecting a Girl

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:21:00 +0000

Only seven months married, Clippers guard Chris Paul and wife Jada are expecting their second child, a beautiful baby girl.

The happy couple at the event in LA.

Jada was seen sporting her baby bump on the red carpet Sunday night at the LA event held by JEEP & USA Basketball, where the couple and their 3-year old son, Chris Jr. had a date night.

While talking to Essence.com Jada said, "Chris, Lil' Chris and I are excited about the new addition to our family that is coming this summer. Lil' Chris is already kissing my stomach and talking to his new sister."

Source

Spotted: Family Time With Lebron James

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 04:47:00 +0000

LeBron kicking it with his family, fiancee Savannah Brinson and their two sons, LeBron Jr. and Bryce Maximus on an off night.

Good to see the James' family laid back chillig like all the other families do in their down time.

Chris Paul Booed at Dodgers Game!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:44:00 +0000

It's not often that an athlete gets booed in his own city, regardless of the venue. So what was Clippers guard Chris Paul doing that was horrible enough to have thousands of Dodger fans booing him? Strangely, nothing. The 26-year old was shown on the video screen with his 2-year old son wearing a Dodgers cap and smiling. To his surprise, the fans, presumably Laker faithful, let him have it.

"They booed me bad," Paul said in an appearance on Tuesday's Jay Leno show. "I was just happy that my son didn't know what was going on."

Chris Paul with his son, Christopher, at Sunday's Dodger game. Associated Press

Apparently, being a nice family guy who wears the right apparel is not enough to avoid the wrath of L.A. sports fans.

From Yahoo! Sports

Zachey, Chris Paul, Dodgers Game

Jeremy Lin Gets Own Action Figure

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:32:00 +0000

Jeremy Lin's left knee injury has sidelined him for the remainder of the season. But for one month, Lin dominated headlines across the country. People have still not forgotten. Last week, a Lin valley action figure was released, pictured here.

Jeremy Lin's life-like action figure. Tumblr

Pretty life like. You know you've made an impact when you get your own action figure after just over a month of solid basketball.

From NBA Off-Season

Zachey, Jeremy Lin, Action Figure

Courtside Celebs: The lovely Couple Of Jay-Z and Beyonce

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 21:01:00 +0000

Were always spotting this couple courtside whether it's in the Garden or over in Jersey. Ja-Z and Beyonce were courtside for last nights Heat and Nets game...

Looks as though they had a pretty good time, hugs and laughs all around with their nephew Julez who was there with them.

Spotted: DWade, Kobe And The Family

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:45:00 +0000

Dwayne took in the Yankees game after beating the Knicks in New York Earlier in the day. Yes that is Tim Tebow sitting tight in front of him rocking a Yankees hat.

And checking out a playoff hockey game...

Kobe and Vanessa look to be having a pretty good time at the NHL Los Angeles Kings playoff game with their daughters Natalia and Gianna sitting between them...

Looks like the couple may be trying to make all things right again in their marriage since the divocre filing in December 2011.

Video: Kevin Durant NBA on ESPN Playoffs Commercial

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:50:00 +0000

It's closely approaching time for the playoffs. In this spot for ESPN Kevin Durant find himself well above the floor looking to make history.

Hornets Sold To NFL Saints Owner Tom Benson

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:54:00 +0000

The New Orleans Hornets new owner is Tom Benson. The tentative agreement reached for the NBA to sell the team 100% to Benson is worth over $338 million. Jimmy Smith of The-Times Picayune first reported this.

So the days of the NBA owning a team are drawing to a close. General Manager Dell Demps and Head Coach Monty Williams have done a wonderful job with the Hornets with everything given this season beginning with the Chris Paul trade, both of them.

The Hornets roster this season has seen upwards of 23 different starting lineup, 10-day contracts left and right, D-League call ups, anything to fill the roster when injuries hit hard. Omeka Okafor, Eric Gordon, Carl Landry, Chris Kaman, Jarrett Jack, Trevor Ariza and Jason Smith have all missed time this season with injuries. That is a pretty good group to be missing. The result has been close losses all season with a few big wins yet the Hornets have never quit and Monty Williams just keep the focus on playing with what he has.

Benson has been seen courtside at Hornets games this season. Now with him as the full owner committed to the city, arena upgrades coming, a lease that's pretty tough to break and a pretty good GM and Head Coach the Hornets are here to stay, but will they keep the name Hornets? Results of an online poll in the Times-Picayune show 90% feel Benson should change the Hornets name. Either way the Big Easy will have NBA basketball for quite a while.

Cavs Mascot Moondog Laid Out

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 05:21:00 +0000

This could have been the look that David West had when he learned that his punch during a play fight with the Cleveland Cavaliers mascot Moondog landed Moondog out for the count and a trip to the hospital. Moon dog suffered an eye injury while doing what most NBA mascots do, mess with the other team players in a fun way.

You've seen Benny the Bull pretending to mop the floor during pregame warmups hoping that an opposing player slips. That's why we love mascots because they entertain us during the timeouts and mess with the other team players when the moment is right.

The moment was right for Moondog but the ending was unplanned. Now if West was play fighting how could a play punch knock out Moondog?

From The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Tom Reed, West said after the game...

“He jumped at me so I thought we were playing around and then the next thing I know he went down. It was definitely an accident.”

We hope Moondog will be ok, we hear he is but nonetheless this is funny as heck. Maybe mascots, we know Moondog will, think twice about a play fight with David West.

Video: Magic and Bird Talk With David Letterman

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:04:00 +0000

Magic and Larry chat it up with David Letterman about their new Broadway act, careers and friendship. You've always heard Bird doesn't have that much personality but he is pretty funny and cracks his jokes throughout the sit down interview.

we would like to see them have a shootout just to see if that competitive fire is still there.

BirdMagic by 3030fm

And that shoe commercial they were talking about, classic you must say.

Stephon Marbury set to get his own statue!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:33:00 +0000

Yao Ming and Stephon Marbury. In China, that just about sums up the pecking order of national superstar athletes. Marbury, 35, was a decent NBA player who peaked way to soon. But in China, he is a legend. Marbury dominated the Chinese Basketball Association last season, leading his team, the Beijing Ducks, to their first ever CBA championship. His news off the court has been just as positive, as his Starbury shoes have been selling like Jordan's.

Stephon Marbury dominated the CBA this year, both on and off the court. Getty Images

According to Ball Don't Lie, Chinese basketball fans initially started a petition to create a Marbury statue in order to commemorate his outstanding play and active citizenship in China. Within hours, over 200,000 fans signed the petition, and within a week that number had climbed to over 1 million. Now, the statue is in the works.

I wonder what Knicks fans have to say about this surprising development. Chime in in the comment section below about Marbury getting his own statue.

From Black Sports Online

Zachey, Stephon Marbury, CBA

Photo: Basketball Anytime, Anywhere, Any Weather

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:20:00 +0000

Nike ran the "Basketball Never Stops" ads during the lockout. Well this picture brings new meaning to that in so many ways.

Talk about ice water in your veins...that's a cold jumper!

Source

Video: Shaq's Dove Ad With His Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 21:28:00 +0000

The old saying goes that boys are "momma's boys". The same can be said for one Shaquille O'Neal as he may be the biggest momma's boy throughout creation.

If you were under a rock the last few weeks and missed all of the NCAA College Basketball tournament then you missed the series of Shaq (cough) Dr. O'Neal Dove Men+Care "Journey To Comfort" ad campaign where Shaq says he's "Comfortbale in his own skin" but this one by far is our favorite. A big ole giant baby that still loves his mom and openly dicusses his name in "Shaquille".

We all know the name Shaquille and there is no question as to whether or not it's original (unlike the nickname "Superman") or not. There plenty of kids running around now with the name both male and female so the imprint on the name has been made.Were glad Shaq is comfortable with his skin and his name. Yet what does the name Shaquille really mean...?

...Handsome

Derrick Rose's Girlfriend Is Expecting

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Derrick Rose and his longtime girlfriend Meika Reese are expecting their first child.

From Bossip...

Chicago Bulls MVP guard Derrick Rose has a kid on the way. Rose’s longtime girlfriend Mieka is 7 1/2 months pregnant. We were scooped when Mieka’s younger sister broke the news on Twitter yesterday — She tweeted out how she enjoys “rubbing her sisters [pregnant] belly” Maybe Rose hasn’t been playing because he’s preparing for fatherhood? Congrats to the reigning NBA MVP.

Congrats to the couple. Derrick is rather quiet and reserved off of the floor so let's hope that he and Meika keep everything cool.

Video: Fan Proposal In Milwaukee

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 02:48:00 +0000

What a great way to involve your tow favorite things, love and basketball. That movie title will forever ring true when couples have the common thread of love and basketball. Ok enough.

Anyway check out how one fan went ahead an popped to question...

Best thing about this is there wasn't an arena full of fans in the event she said "No". Way to play it real cool my dude.

Source

Video: Derrick Rose GQ Photoshoot

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:01:00 +0000

Derrick Rose has not seen as much action on the hardwood this season as he would have liked. He's missed almost 40-percent of the Bulls games due to various injuries. In his previous three season Rose only missed a total of six games so yo know that must be frustrating especially with the Bulls having the best record in the NBA to this point.

It has still been busy for the fourth year guard out of Chicago. There was the new contract with Adidas, the purchase of a condo in the Trump Tower and he's also expecting his first child with longtime girlfriend Meika Reese.

Well chalk up a GQ photoshoot to the list now. Check out the video of the shoot