FanHouse MichaelJordan

If I told you that, "Kobe Bryant grew up idolizing MJ," you would undoubtedly nod your head and say, "Yes. I can easily see how Michael Jordan was a big influence on Mamba." But, as it turns out, 24 was also heavily influenced by the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Which seems weird, but, as Holly MacKenzie put it, also makes total sense: Jackson, for all his eccentricities, was a brilliant performer and the best at what he did. So it's not irrational at all to think that his work ethic and dedication to his craft inspired Bryant.



Via The Hoop Doctors

Jeff Jordan, most famous for being Michael Jordan's son, has decided to hang up the high-tops -- at least as far as competitive play goes. The 6-foot-1 incoming junior has decided to stop playing basketball and stay at the University of Illinois to concentrate solely on his academics.

Jordan, a player who won over the Illini coaches with his heady play and strong work ethic, was set to be a part of the Illinois rotation this coming season. He, unlike his Dad, was not an offensive threat, concentrating more on being a defensive stopper. Illinois head coach Bruce Weber offered some kind words for their now dearly departed.

There are any number of ways to compare NFL quarterbacks. Conventional stats, advanced stats, Pro Bowl appearances, Super Bowl rings, celebrity ladyfriends. And now: golf scores on U.S. Open set-ups.

Since retiring from the NBA in 2000, John Salley has seemingly reinvented himself. From appearing in major motion pictures to co-hosting talk shows, "Spider" Salley is one of a few former athletes who has been able to make a living in Hollywood once his playing days were over.

Next week, Salley will star in NBC's 'I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!'. The reality show, which features 10 celebrities living in a Costa Rican jungle, premieres on Monday, June 1. Viewers will be able to vote for their favorite celebrity, a list which include former WWE diva Torrie Wilson and actor Stephen Baldwin, until only one remains at the end of the month.

FanHouse spoke to Salley about preparing for life in the jungle and the lack of toughness being allowed in this year's NBA playoffs. The full interview is below.

Anyone have $325-350 million laying around? That's the price Black Entertainment Television founder Robert Johnson wants for his controlling stake in the Charlotte Bobcats, according to the Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell (via The Baseline).

Johnson has been rumored to be looking to offload the struggling franchise for months, telling an Observer columnist last month he's not terribly interested in running a basketball team and hoping minority owner/team president Michael Jordan would pony up. (Apparently, MJ is not breaking open the piggy bank.)

ATLANTA -- Some comparisons will last forever: Ginger or Mary Ann, Coke or Pepsi, Hertz or Avis, Rowan or Martin, Wrigley or Fenway.

LeBron or Michael.

How about LeBron AND Michael? And, no, this doesn't refer to the esteemed Mr. James and Mr. Jordan as players, especially since they reached that solar system beyond the basketball elite in different ways.

---

---

In an effort to keep our golf visitors well informed on what is going on around the Internet, Range Balls is our weekly link dump. Every Tuesday during golf season, we will toss out some of the most interesting things we came across. If you have a tip, e-mail us at fanhousegolf@gmail.com. Enjoy the links.

--It appears Justin Timberlake, Michael Jordan and Ben Roethlisberger can avoid hiring that extra security detail for the U.S. Open Challenge this year at Bethpage Black. Phoenix police lieutenant Larry Giebelhausen was named big winner and will have his chance at breaking 100 at the U.S. Open venue. [Golf Digest]

--Ernie Els, rejoice, because the British Open is heading back to Muirfield in 2013. The site of his '02 victory, his last major championship, the Royal and Ancient has decided to swing back by the home of the honorable company of Edinburgh golfers for another shot at the Claret Jug. [PGA]

--If you think you're a true Tiger Woods fan, you might need to have a word with Whiskers. [Armchair Golf Blog]

--You know the only drawback to hitting drives upwards of 340 yards? You might have to wait a while until you get to hit your next shot. Bubba Watson was obviously upset with the slow play at Quail Hollow, admiitting, "I mean, it's just not fun." [CBS Sports]

--A detailed looked at the Catch-22 in women's golf. [Golf Girl's Diary]

Not since Michael Jordan in Chicago has any team won an NBA title relying so heavily on one individual player.

That might be the next trick for LeBron James.

By winning the Most Valuable Player Award on Thursday, James cemented his status as the best basketball player in the world today. If he wants to reach the real rarified air where the best in history reside, there are other things he must accomplish now.

That was a great series. Boston-Chicago had everything you wanted and then some.

The full seven games ... overtimes and close finishes ... star player stepping up ... role players emerging. You name it. Yes, it was truly a great series. But the best first-round series of all time? Let's not go that far.

I'll still take the Warriors' "We Believe" upset over the Dallas Mavericks two years ago and even the Denver Nuggets knocking off the Seattle SuperSonics back in 1994 over this one.

The FanHouse Podcast: Because bloggers are much sexier on the phone.

Kevin Blackistone -- one of FanHouse's featured columnists -- has far too many accolades for me to mention here. The important thing is that he hit up the 'HouseCast this week to talk about, well, everything. And if that's too general for you, then you have problems. But then fortunately, we're not just bloggers, we're therapists, so here you go: we chat about the Redskins' draft, the problems that owners like Dan Snyder, Al Davis and George Shinn (to name a few) are dealing with right now, Michael Jordan's inability to run a basketball team, Mike Tyson's ear-chomping skills, the Ricky Hatton-Manny Pacquiao fight this weekend in Vegas and Barack Obama's first 100 days. Yes, it's awesome.