Ex-NBA Player Rumeal Robinson Faces Federal Fraud Charges
Mr. Destiny Your Not
Back on October 6 2009, we posted the story of former NBA player Rumeal Robinson who tricked his foster mother into signing over the deed to her own home and transferred the property to people unknown to her to hold the home as collateral has now a court date on federal fraud charges. Robinson is charged with 13 counts, including eight counts of wire fraud, three counts of bank bribery and one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The trial on the federal charges is scheduled to begin on August 30 and is expected to run for at least a week.
According to the indictment, Robinson and his girlfriend, Stephenie Hodge, worked with a loan officer at Iowa-based Community State Bank to take out nearly $1.4 million in loans by means of false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises. The money was allegedly meant to help finance the development of a Jamaican luxury vacation resort to be known as Harmony Cove. Robinson and Hodge used the money from the fraudulent loans for items related and unrelated to the Harmony Cove project.
Donald Barrows, Robinson’s adopted brother, says that his Rumeal is a “strip club addict” who would spend up to $20,000 a night on exotic dancers.
Robinson, a former NBA player who was drafted in 1990 by the Atlanta Hawks, is most famous for hitting two crucial free throws in the 1989 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship game for the University of Michigan Wolverines against Seton Hall University.
Brandon Roy & Jamal Crawford Make Cameos In Marijuana Video
What came first, the chicken or the egg? Round and round you can go with that question and the same can be said with athletes trying to be rappers and entertainers trying to be rappers. Portland Trail Blazers Brandon Roy has already apologized to the team and his fans for appearing along with Atlanta Hawks guard Jamal Crawford in a rap video by Cali& Cavalli
that features a heavy dose of marijuana images.
Like Calvin Casey likes to preach its about perception here.
R.I.P. Lorenzen Wright
R.I.P.
NBA free agent Lorenzen Wright who had vanished on July 19 was found dead at the age of 34. The former Los Angeles Clipper, Atlanta Hawk, Memphis Grizzlie, Sacramento King and Cleveland Cavalier was last seen July 18 when he was expected to fly out of Memphis.
His body was found in Southeast Memphis in a wooded area and according to the Commercial Appeal “police sources confirmed earlier that they are investigating a 911 hangup call from Wright’s cellphone made July 19.” During the call, at least ten gunshots could be heard.
Sgt. Alyssa Macon-Moore of the Memphis Police Department wrote in an e-mail to the AP that police were investigating the death of an unidentified man beside a wooded area about 15 miles south of downtown Memphis. Asked if the man was Wright, she wrote they could not confirm the victim’s identity Wednesday night.
Wright left the University of Memphis early for the NBA, and the Clippers made him a lottery pick with the No. 7 selection overall.
He averaged 8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in 778 career games.
NBA 2K11 Allows Gamers To Play 10 Different Versions Of Michael Jordan
Did You Even See Him Play?
The makers of NBA2K11 have released details the game has a game mode entitled “The Jordan Challenge” which allows you to play 10 different versions of the NBA great.Fans can play whatever game they want in whatever order.
In each game, gamers are charged with different goals, including matching Jordan’s point totals and shooting percentage. Here are the 10 different versions of Jordan that can played, however two of the 10 challenges don’t have specific dates tied to it.
April 20, 1986: Jordan scores 63 vs. the Boston Celtics
March 28, 1990: Jordan scores 69 vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers
May 26, 1990: Jordan’s Game 3 Eastern Conference Finals vs. Detroit Pistons
Any date in 1990: Jordan’s battles that season against Dominique Wilkins and Atlanta Hawks
June 2 thru June 12: Jordan’s performance in the 1991 NBA Finals vs. Los Angeles Lakers
June 3, 1992: Jordan scores 35 in the first half vs. Portland Trail Blazers
March 18, 1995: Jordan scores 55 vs. the New York Knicks
June 16, 1996: Father Day Game in 1996 NBA Finals vs. Seattle SuperSonics
June 11, 1997: The Flu Game
June 14,1998: Jordan’s last game in a Chicago Bulls uniform
If you hit six three pointers in a row like Jordan did against the Trail Blazers in 1992, the virtual Jordan will shrug just like he did in real life on that night.
2010 San Antonio Spurs Summer League Schedule Announced
Via Spurs Press Release
[Via Spurs Press Release]
Twenty-two NBA teams, including 11 that appeared in the 2010 NBA Playoffs, will compete in this year’s NBA Summer League. For the second consecutive year, a team of NBA Development League Select players will also participate in the action taking place at the Thomas & Mack Center and the COX Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Marketing partners included in the event are adidas, EA SPORTS, Gatorade and T-Mobile.
A 58-game schedule of action will tip off on Friday, July 9, with four games scheduled at COX Pavilion. Teams slated for action on opening day include the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets and Phoenix Suns.
“While the NBA Summer League continues to grow, its core mission remains the same: allowing NBA teams to evaluate young talent and free agents, giving rookies the chance to get acclimated to the NBA and providing veterans a chance to fine-tune their games,” said Stu Jackson, Executive Vice President of NBA Basketball Operations.
This year’s event will feature the Washington Wizards, who won the top overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. Other participating teams with top five selections in this year’s draft include the Minnesota Timberwolves (fourth overall pick) and the Sacramento Kings (fifth overall). Additionally, 10 of the top 14 picks are expected to participate in Las Vegas this summer.
“NBA fans have the chance to get a sneak peek at the league’s newest stars in an up close and family-friendly venue at NBA Summer League,” said Gail Hunter, NBA Senior Vice President of Events and Attractions.
Joining the above-mentioned teams scheduled to appear in Vegas this summer are the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards.
Tickets for the 2010 NBA Summer League are on sale and can be purchased by calling 702-739-FANS, through UNLVtickets.com or by visiting the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office and UNLV Ticket Outlets. All general admission tickets are $25 for the day; seniors and children (3-12) are $15 for the day; and children two years and under are admitted free of charge.
2010 NBA Summer League Game Schedule:
All Times listed are local Las Vegas time.
Monday July 12
Thomas & Mack
3:30 PM – San Antonio vs. Minnesota
Wednesday July 14
Thomas & Mack
3:30 PM – Atlanta vs. San Antonio
Thursday July 15
COX Pavilion
1 PM – LA Lakers vs. San Antonio
Saturday July 17
COX Pavilion
5 PM – LA Clippers vs. San Antonio
Sunday July 18
Thomas & Mack
1:30 PM – San Antonio vs. Memphis
Another Former NBA Player Files For Bankruptcy
Thank You Tim Duncan
Antoine Walker, the three-time NBA All-Star who made about $110 million during his 13-year career playing for Boston Celtics,Dallas Mavericks,Atlanta Hawks,Miami Heat,Minnesota Timberwolves,and Memphis Grizzlies has filed for bankruptcy.
Walker worked out a payment plan last year with Las Vegas casinos after he was arrested for writing $1 million in bad checks. But he since was hit with a $2.3 million foreclosure lawsuit on a Chicago-area property he purchased for his mother.
Walker, 33, lists liabilities of $12.74 million and assets of $4.28 million in his filing. The assets include his 2006 NBA championship ring, valued at $6,000. The petition also lists nearly $650,000 in gambling losses in 2008-09.
Mama Margie’s Major Meltdown: Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
Every Thursday Sports Grind Entertainment will present you with the Mama Margie’s Major Meltdown. The recipient of this honor goes to the Orlando Magic who lost Game 1 and Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals on their home court to the Boston Celtics.
The Magic made little trouble of the regular season and in turn landed them the number two seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They went on to breeze through the first two round of the playoffs by virtue of sweeps and manhandling the Atlanta Hawks by an average of 25 points. However with a week worth of rest and all the Magics dominance before hand the opposite was on display for their home fans.
The Magic in Game 1 never saw them lead at any point in the game nor even tie it up. Players like Rashard Lewis, 4-16 in 85 minutes, Mickael Pietrus, 2-8 in 35 minutes, and Jameer Nelson 12-30 but 3-12 from behind the arch in 74 minutes played big parts in the Magic being down 0-2 on their home court.
In a must win moment Vince Carter missed two free throws that would made it a one possession game with under 31 seconds left in the game. The eight time all-star missing both free throws sucked all hopes of pulling out a victory for the Orlando reminiscence of former Magic Nick Anderson who missed four consecutive free throws in 1995.
Atlanta Hawks Fan Offer Up Joe Johnson On Craigslist
Young Jeezy Has Even Erased Joe's Name From A Verse
After the Atlanta Hawks where swept by the Orlando Magic once again in blow out fashion, the Hawks will have plenty of moves to make to please their fan base beginning with their head coach and down to their star player. The Hawks fans took their anger out on Joe Johnson who was mercilessly booed at tip-off in Game 4 and suddenly offered up on Craigslist after the game.
All of it stems from the comments Johnson made about the fans after the 30 point loss at home in Game 3.
“We could care less if they show up”
Then followed a poor performance in Game 4,
“It doesn’t bother me, man,” said Johnson, who’s last shot was a 25-foot airball as the shot clock ran down. “I’ve got thick skin. I’ve been booed louder than that.”
Booing might not bother Johnson but he quickly found himself for sale by an Hawk fan on this Atlanta Craigslist Ad. Used NBA basketball player looking for a new home. Need to move ASAP!!!! $20,000,000 a year or $500,000 an hour.
Decent worker from December to April……….. WONT WORK OVERTIME!!!!
Mama Margie’s Major Meltdown: Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz
Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz
Every Thursday Sports Grind Entertainment will present you with the Mama Margie’s Major Meltdown. The recipient of this honor goes to the Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs and the Utah Jazz in being swept 4-0 in the second round of the NBA playoffs.
Each team played formidable opponents in the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers but still never managed to win a game. Out of 16 games only one, game 3, was decided by one point in the Jazz and Lakers series. The rest of the games in the series had the Jazz loss by an average of 9 points.
The Hawks versus the Magic series was never close from the moment of tip off in game one. The series saw game one’s outcome decided by 43 points and an average of 25 points in defeat for Atlanta. The Spurs four loses to the Suns may have seemed close but that was until the second half got under way. The second half saw Phoenix pull away four straight times and proving to be to much for the Spurs in the end.
San Antonio Spurs Second Round Playoff Ratings Down
Est. 1973
Fewer viewers are watching the latest entry into the San Antonio Spurs/Phoenix Suns rivalry.
The Suns Game 2 win over the Spurs on Wednesday night drew a 2.7 U.S. rating and 4.0 million viewers, down 7% in ratings and 8% in viewership from Orlando Magic/Boston Celtics Game 2 in the timeslot last year 2.9, 4.3 mil. Monday’s Game 1 drew a 2.7 and 4.1 million viewers.
To put the numbers in perspective, Game 2 of the Phoenix Suns/San Antonio Spurs first round series two years ago drew a 3.0 rating and 4.4 million viewers.
Through Wednesday, ratings have declined for four of the six second round telecasts (not including Utah Jazz/Los Angeles Lakers game since ratings where not available), with three games seeing double-digit drops. However, with the exception of Atlanta Hawks/Orlando Magic Game 1 on Tuesday, the ratings have been generally solid.
Mama Margie’s Major Meltdown: Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
Every Thursday Sports Grind Entertainment will present you with the Mama Margie’s Major Meltdown. The recipient of this honor goes to the Atlanta Hawks and their 43 point loss to the Orlando Magic.
Since March the Hawks have been playing basketball with one foot already set in the NBA off-season and never was that more clear than in Game One of the second round playoffs against the Magic Tuesday night.
The Hawks went scoreless for near six minutes with seven turnovers in the second quarter and down at halftime 53-33. After scoring only 10 points in the second quarter and 11 in the third quarter, the Hawks were looking up from a 46-point deficit at one point.
The loss easily could have been more than 50 had the Magic needed to play their regulars for more than two quarters. All the while Orlando was shaking off the rust after sweeping the Charlotte Bobcats in the first round of the playoffs.
The Hawks where lead in scoring by Josh Smith 14 points and as a team didn’t reach the 50-point mark until Jeff Teague hit a 3-pointer with 8 minutes left in the game.
Hawks coach Mike Woodson said the team come out with “no juice” and that “it was an ugly game for us on both ends of the floor.”
No matter how you try to slice it up, the performance Atlanta displayed on Tuesday was disgusting and a major meltdown. Even the viewers at home watching on TV thought so with the game drawing a 1.9 rating and 3 million viewers on TNT ranking it as the lowest rated NBA Playoff game in two years.
Tim Duncan Makes 2009-10 NBA All-Defensive Team
Via Spurs Press Release
[Via Spurs Press Release]
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, winner of the 2009-10 Defensive Player of the Year Award presented by Kia Motors, and guard Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics headline the NBA All-Defensive First Team, the NBA announced today. By totaling 57 points overall, including 28 First Team votes, Howard edged Rondo (50 points overall and 23 First Team votes) as the leading vote-getter.
Also selected to the All-Defensive First Team are forward LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers (45 points), Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (34 points) and Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace (30 points).
Howard became the first player to lead the league in rebounding and blocks (1973-74 was the first season blocks were kept as an official statistic) in consecutive seasons, averaging 13.2 rebounds and 2.78 blocks. He also became only the fifth player in NBA history to lead the league in rebounding for at least three consecutive seasons. With Howard anchoring the defense, the Magic allowed 95.3 ppg, which ranked fourth in the NBA, and held the opposition to a league-low .438 shooting from the field, including 24 games where opponents shot under .400. Orlando held the opposition to less than 100 points 57 times and to less than 90 points 24 times.
The NBA All-Defensive Second Team consists of center Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs, guards Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat and Thabo Sefolosha of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and forwards Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks and Anderson Varejao of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Duncan has been selected to the NBA All-Defensive team 13 consecutive seasons.
The voting panel consisted of the NBA’s 30 head coaches, who were asked to select NBA All-Defensive First and Second Teams by position. Coaches were not permitted to vote for players from their own team. Two points were awarded for a First Team vote and one point was awarded for a Second Team vote.
Dwightmare On Elm Street
This is a little corny but don’t hold it against Dwight Howard or the Orlando Magic because it was done by the Orlando Sentinel. On second thought I wouldn’t even blame the Sentinel after the performance you saw from the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1. That 43 point loss was just utterly disgusting Atlanta.
Fear The Deer
After seeing your Grease video with Tony Parker back on December 29, Coyote you got some stepping up to do.
San Antonio Spurs Draw Good Ratings On TNT
Amazing Is Belief
TNT NBA Playoffs tripleheader on Sunday drew good numbers for TNT. Headlined by the San Antonio Spurs/Dallas Mavericks matchup.
The Mavericks Game 1 win over the Spurs drew a 2.9 overnight rating on TNT Sunday night, up 7% from Miami Heat/Atlanta Hawks in the same time slot last year (2.7). Last year’s Mavericks/Spurs Game 1, which aired on a Saturday night on ESPN, drew a 2.3 overnight rating. The 2.9 for Sunday’s game was tied as the highest of the weekend for an NBA Playoff game on cable as the Miami Heat/Boston Celtics also drew a 2.9 on ESPN the previous night.
The rest of ESPN’s tripleheader numbers saw the Milwaukee Bucks/Atlanta Hawks game draw a 1.8 overnight rating and later in the night the Utah Jazz/Denver Nuggets saw a 2.4 overnight.
The Charlotte Bobcats/Orlando Magic Game 1 drew a 2.5 overnight rating, up 9% from Philadelphia 76ers/Orlando Magic Game 1 last year (2.3). The night ended with the Portland Trail Blazers Game 1 upset of Phoenix Suns drew a 2.2 overnight and was down 3% from last year’s Game 1 between the New Orleans Hornets and Denver Nuggets (2.3).
Overall, TNT averaged a 2.5 overnight rating for NBA Playoff coverage on Sunday.
SGE 2010 NBA 1st Round Playoff Picks
SGE PICKS
The NBA playoff’s begin today but yesterday on our we made the predictions who would win each series. As our bracket probably resemble yours with few shockers there just might be a series or two that leave you disagreeing with one of us. If you missed yesterday’s show you can still download the listen from the Sports Grind Entertainment’s Archive but without further ado here is each of our predictions.
Eastern Conference
- Calvin Casey
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Orlando Magic
- Atlanta Hawks
- Boston Celtics
- Rudy J
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Orlando Magic
- Atlanta Hawks
- Boston Celtics
- Salami
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Orlando Magic
- Atlanta Hawks
- Boston Celtics
Western Conference
- Calvin Casey
- Los Angeles Lakers
- San Antonio Spurs
- Phoenix Suns
- Utah Jazz
- Rudy J
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Dallas Mavericks
- Phoenix Suns
- Utah Jazz
- Salami
- Los Angeles Lakers
- San Antonio Spurs
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Utah Jazz
Former NBA Player Arrested For Abducting Son
Your Breaking Rudy J's Heart
Back on April 10, we posted the story of former Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets and 1994 Slam Dunk Contest winner Isaiah Rider being arrested after three incidents in five days. Now you can add a fourth arrest to his record just in the month of April alone, this time for abducting his one-month-old son.
Police ended the manhunt for the ex-NBA player in Mesa, Arizona. Rider took his son on Tuesday at 2 p.m. and was finally found in a cab a little after 1 a.m. Wednesday. What’s up with this guy and cabs?
Isaiah Rider IV, was unharmed and in good health and returned to his mother while Rider Jr. was taken to police headquarters. Mesa Police Department spokesperson Michael Melendez said Rider Jr. is a known drug addict who can be violent and would likely run if confronted by police. When the police department places that label upon you, you know your life is spiraling out of control.
Former NBA Player Arrested For Assaulting Fiancee
Your Breaking Rudy J's Heart
Police arrested former Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets and 1994 Slam Dunk Contest winner Isaiah Rider after he assaulted his fiancee and refused to pay a cab driver for a fare. Rider was arrested after three incidents in five days.
Police say the first incident happened Sunday after Rider allegedly pulled his fiancee out of her vehicle and threw her to the ground during an argument. Rider then took a cab ride from Mesa to Phoenix and back to Mesa and when he arrived at his apartment complex he told the driver he needed to run inside to get his wallet to pay the $150 fare however he never returned.
Police then put J.R. under surveillance and was caught driving erratically from his house. When the officer tried to pull Rider over, he drove into a neighborhood, jumped out and tried to run away. The police on the scene found three children in the back of the Escalade.
In 2006 he was arrested in California on charges of kidnapping a female acquaintance and had an outstanding warrant for resisting arrest.
In 1997 he was convicted of marijuana possession and in 1994 he spent two days in jail for failing to complete community service after kicking a woman in the back at an autograph signing.
Keri Hilson Butchers National Anthem
Being someone who grew up in a militarily household with a father that served over 35 years and brothers that have fought in wars for this country I don’t take butchering the national anthem lightly. That being said I’m well aware of the fact that it is an extremely difficult song to sing but Keri Hilson can do just that.
It’s not like where talking about Sally May from your neighborhood. We are talking about a Grammy nominated signer here. Slips ups happen and no one is for sure perfect however if you can’t do it, don’t agree to it.
:25 “What”
Orlando Magic Forever Linked To Josh Smith
We’ve all had those brain farts but can some many have it at one time like the Orlando Magic did after Atlanta Hawks Josh Smith came in for the game winning put back dunk. That indeed is the definition of a million dollar moment.
Such a shame the Magic blew gas out their ears after Vince Carter drained the game tying three with a man in his face.
But like the Big Aristotle said “one lucky shot deserves another.”
Tim Duncan Forever Linked To Al Horford
We can’t act like San Antonio Spurs Tim Duncan is a young ball player anymore but you still got to give credit to Atlanta Hawks Hawks Al Horford for working when it matter most and coming up with his own million dollar moment. Not like he has a vault in that department like Duncan’s.
Tim still got got.
Ernie Johnson To Call MLB Games For TBS & Peachtree TV
One Of The Best
TBS has tapped a rotation of three announcers to replace Chip Caray on MLB broadcasts.
Ernie Johnson (one of the best), Dick Stockton and Brian Anderson will call regular season baseball games for TBS during the 2010 season, replacing Caray, who was fired after last season. Stockton, who sucks and can’t get anyone’s name right these days and Anderson have previously called MLB postseason games for TBS.
This is just the latest foray for Johnson into play-by-play. In December, he called a Cleveland Cavaliers/Atlanta Hawks game for NBA TV, and he is scheduled to call the March 25 Miami Heat/Chicago Bulls game for TNT. In addition to his work on TBS, Johnson will also call 30 Braves games for Atlanta’s Peachtree TV.
Meanwhile, John Smoltz has joined Turner as an analyst for MLB coverage. He will join Buck Martinez, who sucks too, and Ron Darling, full of knowledge, as color commentators for TBS MLB telecasts. Like Johnson, Smoltz will also call select Braves games on Peachtree TV.
In addition to Smoltz, Martinez and Darling, studio analysts Dennis Eckersley and David Wells, who is funny but wonders at times, will call select games during the season.
Dick Move Or Brilliant Move By Jason Kidd?
Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Woodson did draw a technical in which Dallas Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki made the free throw. The game eventually went into overtime where the Mavericks beat the Hawks 111-103.
So was Mavericks guard Jason Kidd’s play a dick move or a brilliant one, I’ll let the opinion be left up to you.
But what ever your opinion is, don’t overlook the stat that Kidd pulled in his 104th career triple-double, by posting 19 points, 17 assists, 16 rebounds. Only three players have ever laid down a 15-15-15. Kidd did it back in 1996 with a 21-16-16 and the other two where Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
Juan Dixon Test Positive For Steriods In Europe
"Damn homie, in high school you was the man, homie"
Another athlete has been suspended indefinitely from play but this time the player isn’t affiliated with baseball. It’s former Maryland star Juan Dixon, who is the program’s all-time points leader, tested positive for the steroid nandrolone and was indefinitely suspended by the International Basketball Federation. Dixon is currently playing in Europe for the Spanish team Unicaja. He took the drug test in November.
He was drafted by the Washington Wizards, then played with the Toronto Raptors, Portland Trail Blazers, Detroit Pistons and was cut by the Atlanta Hawks last October before resorting to earning a paycheck overseas.
