LeBron James Vogue Cover Controversy

King James or King Kong?

NBA forward LeBron James doesn't have a problem with this cover, but ESPN columnist Jemele Hill does.

"A black athlete being reduced to a savage is, sadly, nothing new. But this cover gave you the double-bonus of having LeBron and Gisele strike poses that others in the blogosphere have noted draw a striking resemblance to the racially charged image of King Kong enveloping his very fair-skinned lady love interest."

James, who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers, told The Plain Dealer he was cool with the cover, saying he was "just showing a little emotion."

"Everything my name is on is going to be criticized in a good way or bad way," James told the paper. "Who cares what anyone says?"

Photographed by legendary photog Annie Leibovitz, the cover is set to make a splash on the newsstands later this week, if it isn't already available in your area. (I'm thinking collector's item.)

What do you think? If you've seen LeBron play then you know this guy is a pretty fierce competitor. I say kudos to Tom Brady for allowing his girl to be photographed with LeBron.

Technorati Tag(s): LeBron James

NCAA Tournament Results - Second Round Update & Scores

My March Madness bracket took a brutal beating yesterday. (First Round results here). How's yours shaping up?

If you've been frantically piecing together your NCAA Tournament bracket following yesterday's upsets, take comfort in knowing you are not alone. My West Region looks like it was hit by a freak tornado, but my Midwest Region is all but demolished. (Gonzaga??) And things are not looking any better for today.

Earlier this afternoon West Virginia upset Duke 73-67 in Second Round action. Joe Alexander had 22 points and 11 rebounds for West Virginia, and Alex Ruoff finished with 17 points and six rebounds.

Not a good time for Duke to fall short on nailing those all-important three-pointers, especially when West Virginia found a way to bring their A game to the hardwood during the second half, when it mattered most.

Get your Second Round results here.

Technorati Tag(s): NCAA Tournament Results

Kentucky Derby Contenders: Colonel John

Surely, even a Kentucky Derby horse likes to know he looks good and that he's doing a good job. Here's what trainer Eoin Harty had to say about Colonel John (following his Sham Stakes win):

"He's a very easy horse to keep fit," Harty said. "He does not carry a lot of excess weight and puts a lot into his works."

Kentucky Derby Contender: Colonel John
Trainer: Eoin Harty
Jockey: Garret Gomez
Owner: WinStar Farm
Graded Earnings: $375,000
Race Record: 5-3-2-0

Beat out the previously unbeaten El Gato Malo in the Sham Stakes at Santa Anita to become the West Coast's leading hopeful. Colonel John is by two-time Breeders' Cup Classic (Grade 1) winner Tiznow, and his dam's sire, Turkoman, is the broodmare sire of dual classic winner Point Given.

Past Performances
Recent Workouts
NTRA Profile

Currently at Bodog Racebook, Colonel John is listed at 14/1 odds to win the Kentucky Derby.

Technorati Tag(s): Kentucky Derby

Kentucky Derby Contenders: Z Fortune

He didn't win today's Rebel Stakes, but Z Fortune is still very much in the running for May's big race.

“We felt this was the best plan for the horse," said trainer Steve Asmussen. "From an education standpoint, we want two [more] races instead of one before the [Kentucky] Derby.”

With Denis of Cork out, Z Fortune was a Rebel Stakes favorite but failed to pose as much of a threat in this all-important race. Prior to this loss, Z Fortune’s only loss in four lifetime starts came to stablemate and Kentucky Derby favorite Pyro in the $300,000 Grade 3 Risen Star Stakes. The Rebel is Oaklawn’s final major prep for the $ 1 million Grade II Arkansas Derby on April 12.

Kentucky Derby Contender: Z Fortune
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Garrett Gomez
Owner: Zayat Stables LLC
Graded Earnings: $120,000
Race Record: 4-3-1-0

Past Performances
Recent Workouts
NTRA Profile

A convincing winner while breaking his maiden at Belmont Park, where he pressed the pace and drew clear to win by 6 ½ lengths. In his second start in an Aqueduct allowance race Dec. 7, the Siphon colt wired the field and went on to win by 4 ¾ lengths.

Right now in the Bodog Racebook, Z Fortune is listed at 25/1 odds to win the Kentucky Derby.

Technorati Tag(s): Kentucky Derby

Bracket, Bracket, Who's Got the (March Madness Bracket)?

March 3rd??? This means that the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament -- AKA March Madness -- is only two weeks and one day away! Okay, I've got a "to do list" based on my terrible picks and performances in prior years.

1. Fill out my March Madness bracket early. There's nothing like scrambling on the 17th to get your bracket filled out!
2. Check out the college basketball lines as I go. I know my "gut instinct" is more-or-less-correct, more-or-less-most-of-the-time, but it's clear that these har professional bookmakers can teach me a thing or two about making March Madness picks.
3. Win some bets. See (2) above.

Also, anyone out there got a ticket to San Antonio for me so I can watch the Final Four? Hmm ... didn't think so. Guess I'll have to do really, really well in the office pool, or hit some 4-team parlays. A sports fan can always dream, right?

Technorati tag(s):march madness bracket