By MARC BERMAN
Posted: 12:44 PM, June 3, 2013

Jason Kidd.Jason Kidd played for the Nets from 2001-07.

Anthony J Causi

Jason Kidd.

Four days after wondering if he could “do the grind all over again,’’ Jason Kidd announced his retirement Monday, ending a 19-year career that will land him in the Hall of Fame.

Kidd, who turned 40 in March, finished out his career with 10 straight scoreless playoff games – likely triggering the decision that was announced by Knicks GM Glen Grunwald.

On Thursday, at a Justin Tuck charity billiards event, Kidd said TV work and coaching were possibilities he was mulling.

“I am thinking about it,’’ Kidd said of retirement. “We’ll see. I have to make a decision. Right now I plan on coming back but in the next couple of days or a week or so, I’m going to think about it if I should keep playing or trying something different.’’

PHOTOS: JASON KIDD THROUGH THE YEARS

Kidd decided it was time and will forgo the final two years and $6.2 million left on his pact. It also leaves the Knicks thin at point guard as they have no assurance they’ll be able to re-sign Pablo Prigioni, a free agent.

“My time in professional basketball has been an incredible journey, but one that must come to an end after 19 years,” Kidd said in a statement. “As I reflect on my time with the four teams I represented in the NBA, I look back fondly at every season and thank each every one of my teammates and coaches that joined me on the court.”

Also in the statement, Knicks coach Mike Woodson said:

“Veteran leadership on and off the court was a huge factor for our team that recorded 54 victories and an Atlantic Division crown. Jason provided an incredible voice inside our lockerroom and I considered it an honor to say I coached him.’’

However, Woodson benched Kidd in the second half of the final two playoff games vs. Indiana because of a lack of production.

"Everybody will probably speculate the last month I had wasn't the prettiest," Kidd said in an ESPN Radio interview. "But I came in the league not as a scorer. I guess I'll leave that way. The biggest thing is I played the game to win, no matter what my stats said, the biggest stat for me was the win column. With the Knicks, we had a great season. It might have ended, but it ended to a team that has a Game 7 tonight - Indiana.''

On Thursday, Kidd said money was not an issue. Kidd is one of the smartest to ever play the game and has always been pegged a future coach.Jason Kidd.Jason Kidd played for the Nets from 2001-07.

New York Post

Jason Kidd played for the Nets from 2001-07.

“There’s a lot different stuff I may have the opportunity to do,’’ said Kidd. “If I play, I plan on playing for the Knicks.’’

“I got to be honest with myself,’’ Kidd added Thursday. “I’m a young man. (But) I got to see if I could still mentally do the grind all over again.’’

When asked about the money forfeited, Kidd said, “It’s never been about money. The game is about winning. It’s not about money. If I decide I’m going to leave, the money is not going to hold me up from leaving.’’

The Knicks gave Kidd a three-year deal, using their $3.1 million mid-level exception that could’ve gone to a younger player with a longer future. But the Knicks thought they had a real shot at a title this season but they ended up losing in the second round to the upstart Pacers.

Speaking on the Knicks’ future, Kidd said Monday on ESPN Radio: “They have a solid foundation. You look at Melo (Carmelo Anthony), You look at Tyson (Chandler). They have to re-sign J.R. (Smith) and the likes of Chris Copeland. We felt at the time we were so close. That’s how fragile the game is. If you go cold shooting at the wrong time you’re not going to advance.’’

The 6-4 Kidd holds career averages of 12.6 points, 8.7 assists. 6.3 rebounds and 1.93 steals with Dallas, Phoenix, the Nets and Knicks.

In his first and only season with the Knicks, Kidd provided backcourt leadership and stability both as a starter and off the bench before his playoff downfall. Kidd averaged 6.0 points, 3.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.64 steals in 76 regular-season games.

The Knicks select 24th in the draft and are looking at point guards.

Blake Griffin’s 2011 NBA Sprite Slam Dunk Kia to be Auctioned (VIDEO)

Leake Auction announced this weekend that the 2011 Kia Optima Los Angeles Clippers basketball star Blake Griffin jumped over to win the 2011 NBA Sprite Slam Dunk Contest will be auctioned off.

After jumping over the car, Griffin put the Optima up for auction to aid a cancer research according to a Leake press release.



Henry Primeaux of Tulsa purchased the car, but is now selling it on Saturday, June 8 during Leake's 41st annual collector car show & auction in the Expo Building at the Tulsa Fairgrounds.

All proceeds will benefit children who come to the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.

Griffin's winning dunk came after jumping over the hood of the Kia Optima while catching a pass thrown by Baron Davis from the car's sunroof. Griffin later agreed to an endorsement campaign for Kia, and has appeared in a number of commercials for the company since.

The vehicle has not been driven and has only 50 miles on it according to Leake.

"As a sports memorabilia collector, I was excited when I saw Blake Griffin jump over a Kia Optima and when I found out it was available at auction. I got on the auction line and was lucky to be the highest bidder and win the Optima," said Primeaux according to the press release. "This 2011 Kia Optima SX, which is autographed by Blake Griffin on the steering wheel and the driver's door frame, has been on display at Primeaux Kia for two years and I'm now happy that we can offer the car for a worthy cause just as Blake did when he put the car up for auction."

Daily admission is $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and military personnel with an ID and $7 for children under 12. Doors open at 9am each day.

The auction will start at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, 10:00 a.m. on Saturday and 11:00 a.m. on Sunday according to Leake.

Click here for more information on the auction.

Leake Auction Company was formed back in 1972 as one of the first car auctions in the U.S. Since then the company has sold over 34,000 cars and currently operates in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Dallas.

The company has been featured on several episodes of two different reality TV series, Fast N Loud on Discovery and The Car Chasers on CBNC Prime according to the press release.

Heat vs. Pacers, Game 7: All on the line for LeBron James and Miami

Not only is Game 7 a win-or-go-home scenario for the Miami Heat, it's a referendum for LeBron James and the entire Big 3 era.


This wasn't supposed to happen yet. After five years, maybe four, but not this soon. The Heat were supposed to be immune from the physical effects of winning championships. Hubris, greed, ego? Sure, those are always in play in South Beach, and they are to some degree here as well.

But the reason the Heat are facing a Game 7 against the upstart Indiana Pacers is as old as time itself. They are not immune, as it turns out, from age and injury.

Dwyane Wade is a shell of his former self and Chris Bosh has been reduced to a stretch four who doesn't rebound. Both are hurt and both have seemingly lost the confidence of LeBron James, who acknowledged their struggles after Game 6 while Wade was down the hall asking for more shots.

This takes nothing away from the Pacers, who have displayed an uncommon resiliency throughout this series. They had Game 1 snatched away from them and they rallied to win Game 2. LeBron went supernova in Game 3 and they evened it up in Game 4. The Heat won Game 5 convincingly and the Pacers did the same in Game 6.

So, here we are with a Game 7 that wasn't supposed to happen between one team facing its own early mortality and another playing well past the point of expectation. For one team, Game 7 is about survival. For the other, it's about opportunity.

LeBron's Game 7 history
How Miami's star has fared in past win-or-go-home scenarios.

If the Heat lose this game, it would be a disaster. It would mark the first three years of their grand experiment as a massive disappointment because there was no Plan B. It was either win or disintegrate. There's no history here to bind these players together, no long struggle from the ground up where they overcame adversity together in any real sense like the elite teams that came before them. That was their choice, not ours, and these are the consequences.

LeBron didn't come to Miami to set down roots; he came to win. Two years ago, he took all the criticism after the Heat lost to Dallas in the Finals, but this year he has stood alone as Miami's savior. The question for him is whether he goes full Cleveland and tries to do it himself or whether he can involve his more-heralded teammates in a collective effort.

That suggests he has a choice, but Wade and Bosh's performance indicate otherwise. If they can't get it together, LeBron will have to carry them over the finish line. This has never been his preferred method, but he seems more at peace with the prospects this time around.

The Pacers have no fear and enough disdain for Miami. Somewhere, Kevin Garnett and Joakim Noah are smiling and cursing appreciatively.

Indiana, meanwhile, has accepted the challenger's role that has been handed down by the Celtics and Bulls, and they can finish the job that the others started. The Pacers have no fear and enough disdain for Miami. Somewhere, Kevin Garnett and Joakim Noah are smiling and cursing appreciatively.

On the subject of cursing, Roy Hibbert has been properly shamed and fined for his boorish "No homo" line. It was disappointing because we all thought Hibbert was better than that, but not surprising to anyone who has hung around a locker room at any level. He's been given a chance to redeem himself like Kobe Bryant and Noah, and here's hoping he does just that. Changing attitudes doesn't happen overnight.

Calling reporters "motherfuckers," on the other hand, was met with a collective shrug. It was unprofessional in a public setting like a televised news conference, but he did have a point. The Pacers have been overlooked this season and they come into Game 7 as the secondary storyline yet again. They can change that narrative Monday night.

Hibbert's ill-considered comments brought unexpected cover and relief to the Heat, but they also told a deeper story of a team that is feeling itself. They are confident and sure of themselves, and at this point, they should feel that way. Their gameplan has been better and their execution has been sharper.

They are a team on the rise with young cornerstones like Hibbert and Paul George in place for what feels like the beginning of a long run. Still, opportunities like this don't happen every year and it's a measure of how unforgiving and exacting the NBA can be that they may never get a better chance. Just ask the Thunder.

But as much as the Pacers have to gain, this is ultimately yet another Miami referendum. Indiana has pushed the Heat to the brink of self-examination, and that's always a dicey proposition for a team that has lived out its existence under the withering public eye from the moment it formed.

This is the moment we all knew would happen eventually. We just never imagined it would happen quite like this.

Ryan Lochte wins 100 IM for 3rd title at Santa Clara Grand Prix

On the women's side, California swimmers Elizabeth Pelton, Caitlin Leverenz and Jessica Hardy each won an event on the final day. Pelton led a Cal sweep of the 100 back, winning in a personal-best 59.88. Missy Franklin, the Olympic star who will attend Cal, was second and Olympian Rachel Bootsma was third.

Leverenz led a Cal sweep of the 200 individual medley, winning in 2:11.87. Franklin and Pelton followed her.

Hardy won the 100 breast in 1:06.86, Canadian Audrey Lacroix won the 200 fly in 2:08.64 and 17-year-old Gillian Ryan took the 800 free in 8:36.49.

Olympians Use Sports To Make A Difference

Michelle Kwan (center) and Mebrahtom Keflezighi (right) pose with
James Ihedigb of the Baltimore Ravens.

WASHINGTON -- Remi Duyile is a Nigerian-American who started her career as a bank teller and retired as a vice president of a major bank. Now she is a senior special assistant to the governor of Ondo State back in Nigeria.

For those accomplishments, you would think her three children, ages 17, 21 and 23, would be especially proud.

But Duyile said it wasn’t until Tuesday that she had a shot at getting her children’s attention.

“I got to meet Michelle Kwan and take my picture with her and I met the guy who played in the Super Bowl (James Ihedigbo of the Baltimore Ravens),” Duyile said, holding out a program. “See, I even got them to sign for me as proof.

“I think now my kids will tell me, ‘You are all right. I want to hang out with you.’”

That indeed is the power of sports.

For the first time since the U.S. Department of State has held a Global Diaspora Forum in Washington, D.C., sports were a part of the overall discussion. Based on the response from the panel today, which featured Kwan, Ihedigbo and U.S. Olympic marathoner Meb Keflezighi, there’s a good chance sports will remain on the docket.

Organizers of the two-day event, which was held Monday and Tuesday, said they were amazed by the response of the crowd after the sports panel. Many of the invited guests, who came from such far-away places as Cameroon and Somalia, swarmed the athletes after their hour-long discussion. There were other speakers who had backgrounds in economics, energy and engineering, but Kwan, Ihedigbo and Keflezighi were the stars.

The goal of the forum was to provide a platform for prominent American figures to share their stories of diaspora, which is the mass migration of a group of people from the homeland, and to share suggestions to help others to connect with the countries of their heritage. According to the State Department, representatives from 35 states and more than 100 countries attended the forum, which attracted nearly 600 registrants.

Kwan, a two-time Olympic medalist and five-time world champion figure skater, shared her stories growing up as a Chinese American. Her parents immigrated to the United States from Hong Kong. Keflezighi, a three-time Olympian, talked about his youth in Eritrea and becoming a star marathoner in the United States. And Ihedigbo, born in Massachusetts to Nigerian immigrants, told about the HOPE Africa Foundation, which he founded in 2008 to support education efforts in Africa.

“I knew at a very young age that my parents sacrificed a lot to allow me to skate,” Kwan told the audience. “I remember my dad being adamant about giving his kids opportunities.”

Kwan’s parents and grandparents worked long hours at a Chinese restaurant in Southern California to keep Michelle and her sister, Karen, skating as well as to help her brother, Ron, play hockey. At one point, when Kwan was 11 and a junior-level skater, her dad gave her a pair of customized skates, her first pair of such expensive boots. Later she noticed that another girl’s name was scratched out from the bottom of the boot.

It was then that Kwan realized how difficult it was for her parents to keep her in skating but what lengths they would go to support her.

“For so long, everything was so focused on me,” Kwan said. “Now I’ve had time to do things for others.”

Kwan, 32 and recently married, is seven years removed from her competitive skating career. Today she is a senior advisor for public diplomacy and public affairs for the Department of State. She also serves on the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition and is on the Board of Directors of Special Olympics International.

“As a skater you feel so selfish,” she said. “Now I’m finding ways to make a difference.”

Keflezighi, who just this past weekend ran his first race (a 10K in New York) since finishing fourth at the London 2012 Olympic Games, echoed those sentiments. (Read more about Keflezighi’s running career here.)


Mebrahtom Keflezighi holds the U.S. flag aloft as he approaches the
finish line in the men's marathon at the London 2012 Olympic Games
on Aug. 12, 2012.

Born in the war-torn east African nation of Eritrea, Keflezighi and his family fled to Italy and later to the United States. His father would wake him up at 4:30 in the morning to study English. Keflezighi and his 10 siblings lived in a three-bedroom apartment in San Diego and Keflezighi is proud to say that all of his siblings have gone on to have successful careers.

Keflezighi ran his first marathon in 2002, but he was so disappointed with his ninth-place finish that he vowed he would never compete in the grueling 26.2-mile event again.

But two weeks later, he was in Eritrea and he saw people walking three miles to get water from a well.

“It’s so hard to comprehend what it’s like over there,” said Keflezighi, who was naturalized as an American citizen in 1998. “Here, you have a switch, you turn it on and you get light. You turn on a faucet and you get water.

“There, you have to get the water and then you have to make a fire to boil the water and you have to go into the woods so you can build a fire. I would see women carrying five gallons of water on their backs. And it’s not like the roads are flat.

“I realized that I had things easy here. I was going through what I call ‘temporary discomfort.’”

Two years later, in Athens, Keflezighi earned a silver medal in the marathon. It marked the first time an American man captured an Olympic medal in the men’s marathon since 1976, when Frank Shorter took the silver in Montreal. Keflezighi won the New York City Marathon in 2009, becoming the first American to win that race since 1982, and in London last summer, he was the highest-finishing American in the men’s race, placing fourth.

The Olympic marathon in London was a race he almost didn’t finish.

“I was in such pain starting at about six-and-half miles,” he said. “It crossed my mind to drop out, but racing for my country motivated me and I knew my daughters were watching me and I had to do my best for them. I always told them to do their best, so if I didn’t reach the finish line what lesson was I telling them?

“So yes, it crossed my mind to drop out, but I’m so glad I didn’t.”

Keflezighi, 38, is unsure about his racing future, although he plans to run the New York City Marathon in November. He has also penciled in Boston for next year and said he is on the fence about the next Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

But he knows his future will combine his success as a runner with efforts to help others around the globe. And much of his work will be with the MEB Foundation to work with youth in education, health and fitness.

“It’s time to give back,” Keflezighi said. “It’s like that quote from (President John F. Kennedy): Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”

Curtis Axel's Role in the WWE and the Questions That Need Answers on Raw

When I first looked at Curtis Axel and his "new" look, I could not help but think of him as a young Arn Anderson—a rugged guy with a good look who will be a tireless performer for the WWE and come close to winning the world title.

But, he falls short.

Axel is a great addition to the company and as the newest "Paul Heyman Guy," but his arrival may have come at the wrong.time. He is another heel in an era where there are too many in the company. There is no true forward thinking by the WWE as to where his character could be headed.

While I hope he is not another "Rocky Maivia" when Dwayne Johnson first made his appearance in the WWF, I see Axel in a role that is familiar to wrestling fans—one they have seen before in the actions of Randy Orton as the "Legend Killer."

Axel has beaten Triple H and John Cena. Both were on technicalities, but a win is a win. He looked good in the ring with both veteran superstars.

Will the trend continue? Will we see Axel face Orton or Chris Jericho or another established WWE hero? While The Miz is locked in a feud with Wade Barrett, he would be a great challenge for the third-generation superstar.

We also must see what happens when CM Punk returns to the WWE and is side by side with Axel and their associate, Paul Heyman.

But in the meantime, here are some questions that need to be answered on Monday night.



Will we see CM Punk on Monday night?

I know I sound like a broken record, but Chris Jericho has a point. CM Punk has been off the screen for seven weeks now while others have been trying to hold it together.

At some point, the "Second City Saint" will need to address the idea of having Paul Heyman doing his bidding for him. It could ultimately lead to the split-up that has Punk make the turn back to face in the WWE.



Is there more transformation in store for Daniel Bryan?

I don't know how to write about this one. Bryan has been the enigma of the WWE lately, having emotional outbursts about being the weak link in the ring with his tag team partner, Kane.

Then we see Bryan in top form against The Shield. He is just mad, bro.

But seriously, Bryan is such an amazing talent. He needs to pick a side and stay on it. I'd like to see him in a program with The Miz, Chris Jericho or Dolph Ziggler.



Is there more from Bray Wyatt?

It is so odd to watch a vignette from Wyatt, whose presence is being felt in the WWE from the outside in. Is the company strong enough for two heel factions without a true wolf pack to come and rescue the company?

It would appear that would be a negative right now, but the WWE will soldier on.



When will Dolph Ziggler wrestle?

He did appear at a live event on Saturday. This could signal he will return to action soon. Will he be on Raw Monday night? I don't know.

According to wrestlinginc.com, Ziggler was at a Saturday live event in Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Pa., and consoled AJ Lee after losing her match to Kaitlyn.

Ziggler said that the doctor did not clear him to wrestle, but he was going to watch Big E Langston defeat Alberto Del Rio in a No-DQ match. The match happened next, but Ziggler and AJ were ejected from ringside after interfering.

When he returns is anyone's guess.

WWE Raw vs. NBA Playoffs: Which One Should You Watch?

On June 3, 2013 the defending NBA Champion Miami Heat will host the Indiana Pacers in game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals. On this same night, WWE Raw will be live with less than two weeks until the Payback pay-per-view.

This has turned into a very stressful situation for fans of both sports. In fact, fans are not the only ones who are stressed. Reports say that WWE are also concerned about Raw’s rating for June 3.

This begs the question – which one should you watch? In order to answer this question, let’s dive into each show’s situation.


WWE RAW


With WWE focusing more on the young talent on their roster, Raw has the potential to be very interesting. John Cena and Ryback will headline WWE Payback on June 16 in a three stages of hell match. Expect more build to this match on Raw, but probably nothing too special. Some promos, interference in each other’s matches. The usual.

Curtis Axel will most likely continue his hot streak since becoming the new Paul Heyman guy. It’s unclear what WWE’s plans are for him at WWE Payback, but I’ve already addressed that.

In fact, WWE Raw will hopefully make the card for WWE Payback more complete. Other than the WWE title match, only CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho has been announced.

If WWE Raw plans on competing with game seven, a returning Punk could do the trick.



NBA Playoffs


With a trip to the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on the line, the Pacers hope to end the Heat’s reign quickly.

NBA.com has discussed three interesting notes in the Pacers-Heat series that could make the difference – third quarter, points in the paint and rebounding.

The Heat has been perceived as unique in that they never had a true center. Chris Bosh has seemed to embrace the role now, but they have always been forced to play small ball.

The Pacers, on the other hand, have a stacked lineup from top to bottom. Their center, Roy Hibbert, is among the best in the league. He could be the difference in this game. After all, he wasn’t on the floor at the end of game one.

As Ric Flair used to say, to be the man, you’ve got to beat the man. On June 3, to be the best the Pacers will have to beat the best. On their home floor.

Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Bosh have a huge test of their own though. They are the defending champions who must live up to their hype.



Conclusion
Which show will you be watching on June 3?
WWE Raw Eastern Conference Finals Game 7 WWE Raw, but switching to NBA during commercials Eastern Confernce Finals, but switching to Raw during commercials. Submit Vote vote to see results

So which one are you going to watch? Hope for a returning Punk and Raw? Or perhaps see James lose at home as the young Pacers head to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000?

In my case, I will be watching a bit of both. The wonderful thing about watching these shows live is the ability to switch during commercials. Some people may watch Raw and switch to the game during the commercials. Others will watch the game and switch to Raw during commercials.

Either way, both should be entertaining. If I had to choose just one though, it would have to be the Eastern Conference Finals game seven. Some weeks WWE Raw is just terrible. There’s too much filler and often times little progression in the storylines. Then again, some basketball games are only worth watching in the fourth quarter.



Which one will you be watching? WWE Raw or Miami vs. Indiana Game 7? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below. If you are reading this after June 3, which one did you watch?


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tyfty ONTD ! NBA fans I may have something for ya'll a lil later ..... so stay tuned