Jay-Z's Life+Style blog and his $50,000 visit to the Kentucky locker room

Last night I was catching up with a friend and was pointed towards Jay-Z's new blog, Life+Style.  The link to the blog is: http://www.lifeandstyle.com/ and it's hot.  Then again, I pretty much like everything Jay-Z does.  I'm a huge fan.



As I was clicking away on his blog, I was impressed by the design and content on the site.  I was also reminded of Jay-Z's $50,000 fine from the NBA for being in the University of Kentucky locker room during this year's Final Four.

 

Jay-Z, Home and Home Tour 2010



Beyonce and Jay-Z, Game 3: Cavs v Celtics 2010

Jay-Z has been to numerous basketball games and events.  Although I've never seen him at any collegiate events, I'd be willing to bet that the Final Four wasn't his first rodeo.  Of course Jay-Z knew he shouldn't be in the Kentucky Wildcats' locker room, but we all know that $50,000 is NOTHING for the New Jersey Nets' Russian billionaire owner, Mikhail Prokhorov. 

I guess the NBA had to do something, but this fine just made me smile.  I'm a betting woman.  What do you think?  Do you think Brandon Knight ends up in New Jersey?  If I was Prokhorov, I'd ask Jay-Z do all my recruiting.  It's GENIUS.

In reality, I guess only the ping pong balls know where the Nets will pick in the NBA draft but it never hurts to have Jay-Z affiliated (i.e. minority owner) with an organization when it comes to recognizing and signing talent.

On to the next one...

THE WIRK

Nets walk away from table, where Carmelo never sat ~ Trade drama over "for now"

Now that Mikhail Prokhorov has called off the Nets' pursuit of Carmelo Anthony, I think we can all move on for now.  I debated on whether or not I'd compose a post about it all, and for the sake of being comprehensive here goes...

My prediction: Carmelo Anthony plays out the season in Denver as a Nugget AND then goes to the Knicks... I don't believe the Chicago Bulls talk...  That's my 3 cents based.  ****  Why 3 cents?  It's 3 cents because I'm smarter than the average person, and the average person gives you 2 cents.

So what does this mean?

• I don't believe that Prokhorov is bluffing.  I really believe the New Jersey Nets are out of the mix.
• I don't believe Carmelo wanted to play for the New Jersey Nets anyway.
• I think that if Carmelo isn't moved before the end of the season, he will have even more interest in what happens over the summer with regard to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
• I'd imagine that Denver Nuggets fans will get to see Carmelo play through the end of the season, and therefore the "empty" seats that were noted in last night's game, should fill up
• I think that New York Knicks fans will have to hold their breath and wait to see what Donnie Walsh comes up with regard to an offer for Carmelo.

With regard to Richard "Rip" Hamilton sitting on the bench...  I don't really see a reason for him to play.  I doubt the Detroit Pistons will do anything this year.  Further it appears that coach, John Kuester (i.e. a Tarheel), wants to go another direction (i.e. read: younger).  Personally, I don't like watching solid-NBA vets sit, and I'd want to see Rip and his $11 million run up and down the court.  However, my opinion appears to be the minority.  I guess when you're preparing to rebuild, I guess the veteran presence doesn't matter.  ****  Hmmm, now that I think about it, it sounds a lot like the Washington Redskins' McNabb situation...

****  I took the pictures for this post during the Nuggets v Wizards game, February 2010.

THE WIRK

NBA Free agency is here! Anyone spot any good signage?

So unless you've been living under a rock and/or are using dial-up (i.e. do people still use that), you know that NBA free agency has arrived.  Lucky (i.e. or unlucky) for me, I don't have to meet with Pat Riley or the New Jersey Nets, etc. this morning so I can get some other work done.

I received this picture this morning from a friend.  Anyone else see any other good signage?  If so, snap a pic and send it to thewirk@gmail.com.  I'll add it to this post.

How is your city trying to land top NBA talent?  Everyone knows that the marquee name up for grabs is LeBron James...

The NJ Nets are leveraging the relationship with Jay-Z, with their "the blueprint for greatness campaign".

Jay-Z and New Jersey Nets owner, Mikhail Prokhorov

Signage near Madison Square Garden (Photo courtesy of Pat Boyd)

Cleveland emphasizes "home".

Banner across the street from LeBron's secret meetings with the Nets and the Knicks.

(Photo taken from PDcavsinsider tweet)

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Prokhorov promises NJ Nets fans playoffs next season and a title (within 5 years)

Craziest quote I've heard today:

Mikhail Prokhorov, "...playoffs next season and championship in 1 year minimum and maximum 5 years."



I'm sure he said more, but the monotone threw me and I think I dozed off a little.  I'll have to rewatch the clip after the game, and use the video as a "bed time story".  Quick question: Do they drug test, NBA owners?  If not, perhaps they should.  Just kidding!  Maybe...

Here's another quote, "Tell me lies.  Tell me sweet little lies."  Thank you, Fleetwood Mac.



Great interview, by David Aldridge, of the New Jersey Nets new owner.  I'm sure it was difficult for him to handle all the charisma in the room.  Just kidding.  I actually need to "Google" Prokhorov and see what's out there about him.  Entrepreneurs interest me.  Billionaires interest me.  But I digress...  Needless to say, I'm sure the man can tell some good stories...  Regardless, it's very exciting to see the NBA go "global" in terms of its ownership especially with a dense European population of basketball talent.

Speaking of global basketball ~ the 2010 FIBA World Championship is in Turkey this year.  The dates are August 28 - September 12, 2010.


THE WIRK