FanHouse Nba Gossip

Don't look now, but Sonics guard Ray Allen is possibly the league's most well-rounded individual. He's a perennial All-Star, serious art collector, accomplished actor, and now, budding cook. The Seattle Times interviews Allen about his hobby, and it's pretty amusing:

How do you cook your fish?

On the grill. I wrap it in aluminum foil and let it cook in some butter with some mushrooms. Growing up, I ate catfish a lot. The only way I knew it was fried. Now I've started baking it on the grill. I've always eaten it fried, but as I've gotten older, I've started eating healthier. It tastes really good baked.

[..]

Butter or olive oil?

Butter. But I've learned to use olive oil in the last couple of months. It's better for your heart ... . Olive oil has really come along. But you can't put olive oil on pancakes.

Okay, so maybe his skills in the kitchen aren't on par with his other talents. In fact, they're probably about on the level of your average college kid. But if you've watched as many episodes of Cribs as I have, you can certainly appreciate what an exception Allen's enthusiasm is.

Via Hoops Addict, The Toronto's Star's rundown of athlete playlists. Morris Peterson and T.J. Ford are the Raptors involved, and theirs are pretty eh, with the exception of Peterson's lone Oasis track and Ford's fondness for Otis Redding and Lionel Richie. I'd say the most you could conclude from these is that Peterson liked that Chris Martin/Jay-Z collabo, and that Ford is either wise beyond his years or has a healthy respect for tradition.

The Star got some "music experts" to weigh in on the players' taste, with some unintentionally hilarious results. They're especially smitten with the playlist of Maple Leaf Boyd Devereux, which boasts indie rockers like Explosions in the Sky, Dead Meadow, and the Mountain Goats.

Here's deejay Dave "Bookie" Bookman on Devereux's taste:

His list is getting passed around the indie rock world faster than a lost Replacements track.

It's no surprise this 1996 OHL Scholastic Player Of The Year digs the finest in rustic literate Canrock (Constantines, Cuff The Duke) along side North America's answer to Mogwai the "can't talk thinkin" Explosions In The Sky.

I wonder if this is some sort of clever, outside-the-box marketing ploy to lure hipsters to hockey. Seriously though, I'm kind of bummed that me beloved, style-laden NBA can't manage any better. I know they play corny music in the arenas, but who would've thought it was all hand-picked by the players?

The year of 2004 was a rough one for Carmelo Anthony. While everyone loves Anthony now, at that point all the smiles in the world couldn't save his image. He was down, seeking therapy, and needed all the support he could get.

According to the Denver Post, he got some from an unexpected source:

"I got a text from him that said, 'Don't even worry about that,' and this and that. I was like, 'Really? For real? Who is this?' It didn't have his name. It just had his (cell) number and 'K.B.' I was like 'Who is this?' It was Kobe," Anthony said. "He's been through a lot so you know he has the people against him. He's his own person. He's in his own world."

The Post goes on to inform us that there's now a big brother/little brother relationship between the two mega-stars, and that they plan to grow closer this summer in Vegas. Kobe says some nonsense about "the younger generation," but it's also clear the two genuinely like each other.

I'm sure there's some way to twist this story into a negative--maybe "all they talk about is shooting too much" or "both are thug criminalz." But me, I'll take the heartwarming tale of two often misunderstood athletes, who despite their different backgrounds have become great pals.

On the same I day I find out that Josh Howard's favorite book is "Othello" and that Nate Robinson plays 2K7 as his pixelated-self, I learn John Amaechi is terrified of an intoxicated Dennis Rodman. I tell you; today's gossip mill is churning 'em out like Spears does crazy! That final gem via a reader at -- earmuffs, Tim -- Queerty:

John Amaechi and Dennis Rodman were both hanging out at West Hollywood gay bar, The Abbey on Saturday afternoon. Don't think Rodman realized John was there, but John definitely saw Rodman and tried to stay as far away as possible! Rodman was so out of it that while walking down Santa Monica Boulevard toward the bar, his friends had to keep him from walking in front of on-coming traffic.

Whoa, whoa, whoa ... hold on just a second. I realize this is from an anonymous e-mailer and I'm supposed to take it with a grain of salt and all, but I see two glaring problems with this "alleged incident." 1. What in the world is John Amaechi doing at a gay bar? Please explain. And 2. Dennis Rodman has friends? Give me a freaking break...

(Thanks to Boi From Troy ... I think.)

Scottie Pippen told friend to bloggers everywhere Chicago Tribune columnist Sam Smith that he hopes to make a comeback to the NBA this season. Pippen is 41 years old. He claims that he's in the best physical shape that he's been in the last five years (his body fat is reportedly at an all-time low 5 percent and weighs an ideal 220 pounds)

"I'm thinking of trying to come back for the playoffs," Pippen said. "Something like the last two months of the season, somewhere I can come back and play limited minutes to start, play point forward for someone and build toward the playoffs. It's something I've been thinking about for the last three months."

"Taking this break, it feels amazing. I'm looking at somewhere I could play maybe 15 minutes. I'm not trying to be a big-money guy or anything, [just trying to] get with a team I can help in the playoffs.

"My knee is good," Pippen said. "I've been working out regularly, doing drills. I see my body like guys like Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar, who played till he was 42) and Robert Parish (who played until just short of 44). My body is lanky and flexible like theirs. That gives me some hope I can do it."

"I'm moving good. I feel pretty fast and you don't forget the game. I watch and see so many young guys who don't know how to run a team and I feel I could help someone."

The amazing thing is that, despite his age and the fact that he hasn't played in about three years, he could be a key piece on a title contender. In fact, I can't think of a single team in the League that wouldn't benefit from having this Hall of Famer on its roster. Let's just hope he's telling the truth about his physical condition.

Um, probably not. But that sure didn't stop Outsports.com from naming Hardaway to their 2001 list of 'Ten Most Likely Gay Ballers in the NBA'. Seriously! Take a look at whose name is man-sandwiched between MOST LIKELY GAY IN '01 Vince Carter and MOST LIKELY GAY IN '01 Penny Hardaway:

7. Tim Hardaway, Miami. Not too different from the bruthas one might run into at any black gay club on a Saturday night. Opposite of Dale Davis. Not really trying to be tough. Just himself.

It should be noted that the list's author, Randy Boyd, clearly states he "has no idea who's gay and not gay in the NBA," and that his list "is pure speculation," "just for fun," and "wishful thinking." But come-on! After listening to Hardaway's comments about John Amaechi, and homosexuality in general, how can you not laugh at this?

Hardaway: I can't stand being around a person knowing that they sleep with someone of the same sex.

Reporter: So if you had a family member who was gay, you're saying, that you would hate them?

Hardaway: Yes. I wouldn't talk to them.

Reporter: But what if you were gay, Timmy?

Hardaway: I'm not gay.

Berry: But what if you were? What if I told you were gay in 2001?

Hardaway: Well, I guess I wouldn't talk to myself then.

Reporter: You wouldn't talk to yourself if you were gay?

Hardaway: Correct. I wouldn't talk to myself; I wouldn't look in the mirror . . . hell, I'd probably punch myself in the face. Repeatedly.

(Thanks to SportsbyBrooks for unearthing this gem!)

It's Valentine's Day, and even though we're optimistically approaching an All-Star Weekend full of sex, drugs and hip n' hop, we ought to focus on all the love that exists in The Association. Yes, breathe it in, lovebirds:

Tony Parker loves Eva Longoria. Or well, Eva Longoria loves TNT camera time. One or the other. The two sex kittens will be getting hitched on July 7 in Paris. C'est tres magnifique!

Yao Ming loves Nia Long. At least, I like to pretend he does.

Charles Barkley loves Dick Bavetta's old man legs. Unless, of course, Dick leaves Chuck in the dust.

John Amaechi loves Toronto. And let's just say it's not because of the weather.

Detroit loves smooth, shaved backs. A quick note to the Piston's public relations team: Do not invite Robin Williams to this game.

FreeDarko loves NBA bloggers who love basketball and their significant others. Will Leitch, Dan Shanoff, three of our very own FanHaus'ers and more ... this is the must read of the day, folks. Enjoy!