When you have won seven -- 7! -- championship rings, more than any other non-Celtic, it may be difficult to keep track of all of them. Robert Horry, however, admitted Thursday that he is uncertain of the location of all seven of his rings -- three won with the Lakers and two each with the Rockets and Spurs. The recently retired Horry said a recent move has left his rings MIA and he believes movers may have placed his jewelry box amongst dozens of unopened boxes, against his orders.
"I never wear them and the thing is, I don't know where they are," he said on a conference call to recall playoff memories. "I just moved and they are in a box somewhere. The movers weren't supposed to touch it, but they touched it, but I am hoping they are in the house somewhere. I usually keep them in the bathroom in a drawer."
There are certain risks that come with fielding a star-studded team of veterans at the expense of depth. Foul trouble and injury are the biggest concerns. If you don't have much behind your front firepower, losing any measure of your stars results in an unfortunate wrangling of already depleted assets to make up the difference.
The clause reminding you that the Kings has the worst record (11-43) in the NBA is not a mandatory suffix to simply demean our friends in Royal Purple. The headline should, by way of remembrance, provide a chuckle at the ways of this sick, sad world.
Remember that last season Sam Cassell languished on the Clippers, near the bottom of the standings with his expiration date approaching quickly. With friend Kevin Garnett seeking his first title, old cagey Sam negotiated a buy-out with the Clips just in time to join Boston's roster for that final spell of glory. It worked. Cassell played 13 minutes a night in relief of Rajon Rondo and Eddie House in the playoffs; the Celtics won a ring.
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I know we're a little Kobe Bryant-heavy today, but bear with me for just one more tidbit. Fast forward about one minute into this video, where Kobe hilariously steals a page from Sam Cassell's celebratory playbook, right after hitting the go-ahead three-pointer against the Spurs. You won't be disappointed.
The Celtics got off to a franchise-best 27-2 start this season, and there was obviously little cause for concern. But then, the team hit the road for four games out West, and dropped three of them ... which apparently now is causing complete panic in the front office. Why would I say this? Because the hot rumor of the day has Boston as the ultimate destination for Stephon Marbury this season. ESPN's Marc Stein explains:
Nearly one year since Stephon Marbury last played in a regular-season game, signals are getting stronger that the New York Knicks' outcast will eventually make his comeback with the Boston Celtics.
When asked specifically about the likelihood of Marbury joining the Celtics this season, the source predicted that "it will happen."
Now of course, before Marbury can go anywhere, there's the little issue of his contract with the Knicks. He and the team were previously a few million dollars apart on the negotiations, and unless Marbury has changed his stance and is willing to take less than he is owed, he's going to stay in his highly-paid purgatory for the rest of the year.
But if Marbury's contract does get bought out and he becomes available ... why would Boston take the chance?
Just as we receive word that one old-timer is interested in coming back, another becomes available. The Memphis Grizzlies today waived Antoine Walker, after coming to a buyout agreement on the remainder of his contract. I know what you're thinking: Antoine Walker was on the Grizzlies? Yes, yes he was. Although it was in name only, as he didn't play in a single game for them this season.
Walker was part of the eight-player draft day deal in June that ended up sending O.J. Mayo to Memphis, and saw the Grizzlies send Kevin Love and Mike Miller to Minnesota. Now that Walker's available, the question is, can he still play?
I'm guessing Walker wouldn't have bothered taking a lesser amount than his contract guaranteed him if he was done as a player -- that's just bad business. So assuming he can still contribute something, where might he end up?
For many NBA fans, Boston's run to the title last season wasn't just about watching the legendary Celtics return to the top of the basketball world. It was more about getting a chance to witness emote-icon Kevin Garnett complete his long journey to an NBA title. KG has long been respected by basketball faithful for being a player who leaves it all on the floor while wearing his heart on his sleeve, and his intense play during the Celtics' championship season only enhanced that reputation.
I was recently fortunate enough to get the chance to sit down with Garnett and talk to him straight-up about everything from what it's like to finally be a champion, to his thoughts on players who only show up during contract years. The candid interview took place over about 30 minutes in a back office of the NBA Store in New York. Hit the jump to read the full thing; and special thanks to NBA 2K9 for hooking me up with KG (who appears as the cover guy for the latest edition of the game).
So Sam Cassell is getting his own street in Baltimore this week. So he's got that going for him. He's also coming back to the Celtics for one more season. Which is cool. After this season he gets to retire from the drills and the grind and the injuries. Which is really nice for a guy his age.
And then, he gets to coach.
Cassell told the Baltimore Sun Wednesday that after his last season with the Celtics, which he'll verify next week, he'll be joining them as an assistant coach, per a clause in his contract. Cassell, 38, was alternately fiery and largely ineffective during the Celtics' playoff run. But having his experience is something most coaches can't put a price on. And the payoff was another ring for the future Hall of Famer. There's long been speculation that he would coach after his playing career was over, and a start with the club he won his last championship is a perfect set up for his coaching career.
Man, things are looking up for the guy. You might even say that right now his luck is just out of this world.
The debate on the legitimacy of pole dancing will likely rage on for years. Is it real exercise? Is it an acceptable avenue of employment? (I say "yes" and "of course".) But tomorrow, starting at 5 pm at the Element in Hollywood, we'll at least know who the world's best pole dancer is, after the the First Annual Pole Star Invitational.
1st Annual Pole Dancing Competition, POLESTAR Invitational is presented by X-polesitions and film/TV casting director Leah Daniels-Butler.
Special appearance by Platinum R&B artist RayJ. Hosted by Mike "Boogie" Malin and xxx star Ashley Fires. MC actor Faizon Love. Confirmed Celebrity judges: NBA Star Sam Cassell, Cassie Walton, XXX Star Amber Rayne, comedian Chris Spencer. Other celebrity guests / VIP expected.
See, that's why Cassell is perfect. An event like this begs for a true, veteran judge of talent capable of helping to "find the ultimate pole dancing champion who best embodies the spirit of pole dance". And Sam I Am embodies all of that.
Cassell will be required to indentify "areas of excellence in strength, flexibility and performance in those people that have a real flair for the art of pole dancing and performance". It's with his help and expertise that one day, we'll talk about "Pole Dancing" right next to the "Virginia Reel" when discussing the agenda on our children's cotillion classes.
It seems that the Celtics aren't ready to stop celebrating their NBA title just yet, as a group of them headed to Vegas to watch Manny Pacquiao win the WBC lightweight title by knocking outDavid Diaz. Check out Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and bandwagon-jumping Sam Cassell whop it up with Pacquiao in the dressing room moments after his victory.
The Celtics just won the NBA title, and were given more than their fair share of attention, right? How about letting Pacquiao have some of the spotlight for himself for a bit, huh guys? He hadn't even put a shirt on yet, and these guys come barging in and steal the show. Seriously, I didn't see celebrities like Steven Tyler, Bill Belichik, Donnie Wahlberg, or Bill Simmons (really -- that's the best you can do, Boston?) in the locker room with Paul Pierce or the delusionalGlen Davis sharing the champagne on the night the Celtics won it all.
Note to the Celtics: you won the basketball championship. That doesn't mean you have the right to show off at baseball games, boxing matches, or anywhere else. It's been less than two weeks since Boston won the title, and it's no wonder that everyone who isn't a Celtics' die hard is already sick of this team.
When you have won seven -- 7! -- championship rings, more than any other non-Celtic, it may be difficult to keep track of all of them. Robert Horry, however, admitted Thursday that he is uncertain of the location of all seven of his rings -- three won with the Lakers and two each with the Rockets and Spurs. The recently retired Horry said a recent move has left his rings MIA and he believes movers may have placed his jewelry box amongst dozens of unopened boxes, against his orders.
The clause reminding you that the Kings has the worst record (11-43) in the NBA is not a mandatory suffix to simply demean our friends in Royal Purple. The headline should, by way of remembrance, provide a chuckle at the ways of this sick, sad world.
The Celtics got off to a franchise-best 27-2 start this season, and there was obviously little cause for concern. But then, the team hit the road for four games out West, and dropped three of them ... which apparently now is causing complete panic in the front office. Why would I say this? Because the hot rumor of the day has Boston as the ultimate destination for 
Just as we receive word that 
So 
The debate on the legitimacy of pole dancing will likely rage on for years. Is it real exercise? Is it an acceptable avenue of employment? (I say "yes" and "of course".) But tomorrow, starting at 5 pm at the Element in Hollywood, we'll at least know who the world's best pole dancer is, after the the First Annual Pole Star Invitational. 
