Queen of Sports

LeBron James Battling Britney Spears In Bowling Hall Of Fame Induction Competition

LeBron James. Britney Spears. Bowling. It seems unlikely the two celebrities would have anything to do with each other, let alone with bowling in the mix. However, a campaign by the Bowler’s Proprietor’s Association of America to make the sport of bowling the number one participatory sport in the country has gathered a number of celebrities to face off for the honor of induction into the Celebrity Bowling Hall of Fame.

LeBron and Britney are part of this week’s match-up, both vying for votes to advance in the contest. James made his way into the running, beating out Tim Tebow in votes. Britney Spears beat out fellow musician Drake to advance.

Incentives are given in the form of bowling coupons to those who vote. You can vote here at GoBowling.com.

Athlete QOTD: LeBron James

During last night’s game in Miami against the Phoenix Suns, the Heat stayed up, winning 99-95. A scary collision during the last minute of the game, however, between LeBron James and Grant Hill had Heat fans holding their breathe while James remained on the floor for a couple minutes.

During a postgame news conference, James was asked if he’s ever had a concussion before.

“No,” he responded. “I’m too tough for that.”

Then he walked away.

You can watch a video of the collision here.

Sports Date Of The Week: NBA All-Star Weekend

This weekend, the NBA’s finest will showcase their skills in a variety of events which will lead up to the All-Star Game.

Here’s what you can expect to see this weekend:

On Friday, you can catch the All-Star Celebrity Game with everyone from rapper Common to Jersey Shore’s Vinny Guadagnino competing. Dwight Howard and Kevin Durant will serve as captains of each team. The game starts at 4 pm PST on ESPN.

Later that night, a new format to the Rookies Challenge will take place with the Rising Stars Challenge. Rookies and sophomores will play together on teams managed by Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal. A draft of the teams was held last week, and a surprise decision to add Heat rookie Norris Cole and the Knicks’ newest star Jeremy Lin has added some allure to the event. The rosters are stacked, from Blake Griffin and Ricky Rubio on Team Shaq to John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins on Team Chuck. The event starts at 6 pm PST on TNT.

On Saturday, a number of events will air. Saturday night All-Star coverage begins at 5 pm PST on TNT beginning with the Shooting Stars Challenge, then the Skills Challenge, Three-Point Contest, and finally the holy grail of All-Star Weekend: the Sprite Slam Dunk contest. The dunk contest will also have a new format: only one single-round will be voted on solely by fans with the introduction of Twitter voting. All contestants are first-time dunkers.

On Sunday, catch the All-Star Game on TNT at 5:30 pm PST. Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Durant and others from the West will take on the East roster that includes Derrick Rose, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Paul Pierce.

LeBron James Hires Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Old PR Handler

It may have been about a couple years too late, but LeBron James must have finally gotten the memo he needs a new PR handler. It was in July of 2010 when his public image took a nosedive with The Decision when he decided to leave Cleveland. Since, his return to Cleveland as a Miami Heat star has prompted loads of boos from fans.

It was no different when he made his first appearance of the season at the Quicken Loans Arena last week. However, he told the Associated Press, “The booing isn’t as bad as it was last year so it’s not even a big deal.” He did make an attempt at pleasing some fans in Cleveland with a comment he made about a possible future return to the Cavaliers.

That comment, we now know, may have been the work of his new PR handler. The News Herald in Cleveland is reporting James has hired someone outside his usual circle of old friends who work for him. This new “strategist” reportedly worked with Arnold Schwarzenegger on his gubernatorial campaign. Of course we know Schwarzenegger won that one, but his own antics led to his downfall.

Will LeBron James’ public image be bolstered with this new hire?

Watch: Blake Griffin Posterizes Kendrick Perkins

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The Internet and basketball fans were abuzz last night over Blake Griffins‘ dunk on Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins. The dunk was reminiscent of his other best in-game dunk which he slammed down last year on then-Knicks center Timofey Mizgov.

Even LeBron James tipped his hat to Griffin. He tweeted, “Dunk of the Year!! @blakegriffin just dunked on Kendrick Perkins so hard!! Wow!! I guess I’m #2 now. Move over #6″

Athlete Sighting: LeBron James Biking It To Work

Miami Heat star LeBron James did his part to go green, at least for one day.

James rode his bike to American Airlines arena ahead of the Heat vs Bulls game last night. Traffic in the area was worsened by the Miami marathon, so James had two of his associates accompany him to the arena on two wheels instead of four.

The Heat beat their Eastern conference rivals 97-93, and James scored a game-high 35 points. Could it have been the power of the pedal?

Photo: Peter Lee/Doris Lee/Splash News

Stars Came Out For Dwyane Wade’s 30th Birthday Bash

Not everyone gets to sing along on stage with rapper Rick Ross at their 30th birthday party, but it was just another night in Miami Beach for Heat star Dwyane Wade.

Wade celebrated his 30th birthday at the Setai hotel along with a who’s-who of rappers and celebrities. LeBron James, Udonis Haslem, Wade and Rick Ross had some fun on stage before Wade cut into his huge birthday cake. Kelly Rowland and Wade’s girlfriend Gabrielle Union looked on with Udonis Haslem and LeBron James.

Some of the other celebrities in attendance included: rapper Fat Joe, DJ Irie, Flo Rida, T.I. and wife Tameka ‘Tiny’ Cottle, Common, and Tracy Mourning. Teammates Chris Bosh and Mario Chalmers were also there to celebrate.

Photos: Jlnphotography/WENN.com

Preliminary Team USA Basketball Team Announced

A dozen players will be sent to London this summer to represent the USA in basketball. The preliminary roster of 19 players has just been announced. Here is the list:

Guards: Chauncey Billups, Kobe Bryant, Eric Gordon, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, Russell Westbrook, and Deron Williams.

Forwards: LaMarcus Aldridge, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Andre Iguodala, LeBron James, Kevin Love, and Lamar Odom.

Centers: Tyson Chandler, Dwight Howard.

Seven players will eventually get trimmed from the list. Team USA camp begins July 5 in Las Vegas.

LeBron James Popped The Question On New Years Eve

Miami Heat star LeBron James proposed to longtime girlfriend Savannah Brinson on New Years Eve in front of several friends and family including Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union, Chris Bosh, Adrienne Williams, and his two sons and mother. The group of around 60 people were there not only to celebrate the new year but James’ 27th birthday which was on Friday.

James, Wade and Bosh were chosen to do the countdown at the Shelbourne South Beach hotel in Miami. Afterwards, the group returned to the restaurant where they were dining in the hotel and James popped the question by dropping to one knee. Brinson of course said yes.

James wasn’t the only one who got some bling that night. His birthday cake was reportedly decked out with Swarovski crystals and edible 18 carat gold. Later in the evening, the group was treated to a performance by Lauryn Hill who pulled Nas up on the stage to perform “If I Ruled the World.”

No word yet on how many carats are in Brinson’s ring.

Photo: Judy Eddy / WENN

Miami Heat Get The Rap Star Treatment In New 2011-2012 Intro Video

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The Miami Heat unveiled their new intro video last night before they beat the Boston Celtics at American Airlines Arena. The video looks more like a rap video than a basketball intro video, with Kanye West and Rihanna’s “All of the Lights” song playing as the players are introduced in neon lights. LeBron James really has his video star moves down.

The shoot was outfitted by Original Penguin. To see a clip of the making of it, check out the video below:

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