DETROIT – Chauncey Billups returns to the Motor City tonight to play against his former team the Detroit Pistons for the first time since he was traded to the Denver Nuggets in November.Mr. Big Shot who has been a permanent fixture at the Palace through several years of playoff runs that include an NBA Championship is sure to be greeted by raucous applause by the Pistons fans, many who are still shaking off the aftershocks caused by the trade that thus far has destructed the team.

Billups one of the NBA’s most unselfish leaders was one of the most consistent performers in Pistons history and was considered one of Motown’s biggest sports heroes.
Allen Iverson who came to the Pistons as part of the Billups trade has been criticized for his inconsistent play and attitude issues as the Pistons are struggling to hold onto the #6 playoff spot with a 24-24 record.

Pistons President Joe Dumars has an excellent history of deal-making but the timing of Billups’ return will be a reminder to the team and fans that even Dumars is prone to make mistakes.

While the Pistons are a dismal 23-29 with A.I.in the line-up, Billups has led his Nuggets to a 39-21 record and currently sit in the #3 spot in the Western Conference.

To add insult to injury, the Pistons just defeated the #2 seed Boston Celtics and #3 seed Orlando Magic without A.I. in the line-up.

Billups says the Pistons will be fine and Joe Dumars will figure it all out and get them back on track. When asked how things would be if he were still in Detroit he responded, “We’d be the top one or two in the East and probably in basketball, like we always are.”

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

PHOENIX – Just in case you missed it, Shaquille O’Neal’s latest hobby besides dominating games and putting a few games in the win column for the Suns is Twitter.

Now being ‘followed’ by over 208,000 other Twitters, Big Daddy was having a ball with it recently when he sent a message to his ‘followers’ on the site.

The message read, “I’m at the fashion sq mall, any1 touches me gets 2 tickets, tag me and say yur twit u hv 20min.”

Can you imagine the economic impact that message had on that shopping mall? Now there’s a quick fix to the economy. Obama can send Shaq around to companies in the most dire need of pumping up their revenue.

Since there are impersonators on the site, if you want to hook up with the Phoenix Suns’ center on Twitter, know that the real Big Daddy refers to himself as ‘The real Shaq’, not to be mistaken for the impostors who call themselves ‘THE_GAY_SHAQ’, or ‘THE_REAL_SHAQ1′.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

ATLANTA, GA. – With just 20 games left on their regular-season schedule, the Gwinnett Gladiators occupy the final playoff spot in their division, sitting just .019 percentage points ahead of the Mississippi Sea Wolves.

Going into last Sunday’s game against the league-best Florida Everblades, Gladiators’ head coach Jeff Pyle knew it was time to light a torch under his players. “We’ve been short-handed and were a little beat up. We got in at 7:30 in the morning [Sunday]. I didn’t know if we were going to be sluggish or not but we came out hard, scored early in the game and considering the situation we played really well”.

The team did play well, in fact they dominated most of the contest to the delight of 4,835 fans who attended that game at the Arena at Gwinnett Center and saw their Glads ice a 6-3 victory.

The players were give the day off Monday to re-energize before hitting the ice for three scheduled practices while they await the Charlotte Checkers who come into town for another important game on Friday.

When asked about how the long hiatus between game days may affect his players, Pyle was quick to welcome the break. “We needed the time off to regroup”, said Pyle. “We know how important all these games are. [With the break] I expect them to come out hard on Friday against Charlotte”.

With Mississippi right on their tails, Pyle believes his team is in the middle of a playoff run, “I think we’ve been in the playoff mode for the last three weeks or so”, said Pyle. “Every win is important”.

The team will try to bring their best game to the final run of the season and ride the momentum of their recent success, “You always hope you’re going to hit that hot streak”, the coach said. “The last five games we have been pretty solid. We did a good job on the road, came back and had that big win against Florida”.

Between the large number of call-ups to the AHL and injuries, Pyle has been dealing with the challenging task of juggling his roster. “You just of have to piece it together as you go. We need all three lines going which has been the key for us lately”.

That certainly was the case during Sunday’s win over the Everblades as several role players contributed to the stat sheet.

Myles Stoesz, who is known more for his fists than scoring, opened the scoring at just 22 seconds into the game, his 4th of the year and Wisconsin-native Andy Brandt netted his 5th and 6th goals of the season, one an empty-netter, earning the game’s First-Star honors.

The Gladiators continue their playoff run, returning to the ice Friday night at 7:35 p.m. to face the Charlotte Checkers at the Arena at Gwinnett Center.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

INDIANAPOLIS – After tallying up more than 8 miles of receiving yards wearing a Colts’ uniform, Marvin Harrison will not be returning to the team he has called home since 1996.Indianapolis Colts’ owner Jim Irsay found himself in a tough spot while the organization attempted to work something out with the aging receiver.

After several attempts to restructure the contract, the two sides remained far apart so Harrison asked to be released and the Colts are honoring that request.

Harrison has been a staple in the Colts’ organization over the past 13 seasons with his best year coming in 2002 when he snagged 143 receptions for 1,722 yards. The 36-year-old wideout has seen his production decline over the past few seasons with 60 receptions last season and 20 in an injury-shortened 2007.

On ESPN, John Clayton reported that receivers in the No. 1spot earn in the vicinity of $9 million per year and Harrison was being relegated to the No. 3 spot that normally calls for $2.5 to $3 million.

Harrison played college ball at Syracuse and was the Colts’ first round draft pick in ’96. His career stats bellow Hall of Fame and include 1,102 catches for 8.28 miles (14,580 yd) and 128 touchdowns.

Peyton Manning who has passed for 259 miles (45,628 yards) as a Colt left a statement on his website saying “I know I would not be the quarterback I am today if it wasn’t for Marvin”.

Harrison must now find a home after a stressful off-season that included being investigated for a shooting that occurred outside a business he owns in Philadelphia. Charges were never filed in that case.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

ORLANDO – When I met Tiger Woods in Orlando during the summer of 1996, he was in the final stages of prepping for a pro career, poised at the starting gate, ready to enter the world of professional golf, a world of guaranteed stardom and wealth.On this particular day, golf’s newest phenomenon was actually going to work to shoot his first commercial for Titleist. Not yet old enough to buy a drink at the local pub, Woods had recently signed an endorsement deal with the company for $20 million.

Tiger’s father, Earl, was also present and participated in the shoot as an on-air talent alongside the son he had raised to master the sport. It was evident Earl and his 20-year-old son had a special relationship making Tiger a natural at delivering his lines during his close up, “He’s a great father figure, he’s my best friend,” he said sincerely, his patented smile covering his face.

Earl was the reason I was present on that shoot. At that time, I was working in the film industry as a one-man medical staff on motion picture sets. Earl was known to be a very strong-willed man and although he insisted on publicly making light of his medical history, Tiger, showing love and concern for his father, directed the production company to hire a medical person to be available to tend to his father in the event he needed care.

Normally I spent my time on large sets with crews of over a hundred people bumping into each other, running around screaming for ‘quiet on the set’ or ‘Bring Mr. Hanks to the location’.

This day was pleasant and more personal. I spent the day driving through the sunny Isleworth golf course observing a father and son enjoying the time that had finally come for them to reap the rewards after nearly two decades of dedication and hard work.

Although Tiger had a mature side, he showed a few streaks of being a kid at heart. While the crew indulged in a mouth-watering prime rib and shrimp catered lunch, Tiger sat in his golf cart, feet kicked up, enjoying a sack of McDonalds burgers listening to the latest hip hop on his headset.

It was refreshing to see. Only a ‘kid’ would opt for a bag of fast food over a home-cooked feast. Only a ‘kid’ would replace the sounds of a steady breeze blowing through the trees with an earful of music.

I took a break between shrimps and observed Woods for a moment and couldn’t help to think that this well-mannered young man who reeked with confidence was clinging onto and enjoying the final remnants of his youth.

It was obvious his life was about to change drastically overnight and would soon include non-stop appearances and tournament play as well as daily doses of camera flashes and autograph requests during dinner on every night out.

That Titleist commercial would be Woods’ first of a long list of endorsements and accomplishments during his rookie year. He signed a $40 million deal with Nike, was named the PGA Tour Rookie-of-the-Year, Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year and hasn’t landed on the ground since.

After knee surgery and an eight-month absence from the tour that included the birth of his son Charlie Axel, Tiger returns this week to compete at the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship and although Tiger is still ranked #1 in the world but some experts expect him to experience a little rust.

One thing is for certain though, if Tiger pulls from the inspiration his ‘best friend’ provided to help get him there, don’t expect his Nikes to hit the ground any time too soon.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

As the squabble over the rights to David Beckham continues between The L.A. Galaxy and AC Milan soccer teams, soccer’s stud is back in the news, this time sharing a commercial spot with two of Hollywood’s leading men.

An ad promoting a male performance Viagra-like substance is running in China and includes images of Beckham, Sean Connery and Keanu Reeves.

According to sources, Beckham is enraged by the ad since the company does not have his permission to use his image to promote the impotence pills.

The advertisers created fake voice-overs for Beckham and the actors that played over some B-roll images of the trio.

In the ad, the voice-over on Beckham’s images says, “Want to know how I can keep being strong and running on the football field? USA Selikon capsules help me a lot. It’s also the secret weapon with which I can satisfy Victoria”.

Sean Connery was also granted a cheesy voice-over in the spot, “I just turned 70. With the help of USA Selikon capsules, I’m forever 25”.

Leave it to China, the land of pirated Hollywood films, $2sweaters and lax, near non-existent copyright laws to allow a commercial like this.

Here’s the ad:

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

Just days after releasing his baby Charlie’s photos to the world, Tiger Woods announced he will compete in next week’s WGC Accenture Match Play Championship.Remarkably, when Woods tees off on February 25 he will do so holding the #1 rating on the Official World Golf Rating chart, even after a 253-day layoff.

When Woods left the tour, he had a commanding lead in the ratings. A lead so padded, he remains in the top spot with a 9.895 rating, 2.05 ahead of #2 Sergio Garcia.

Since Woods limped off the Torrey Pines Golf Course in with the U.S. Open trophy and went on the hiatus that included major surgery on his knee, golf has certainly taken a knock in revenue and television ratings. The hype about his return has put golf back in the headlines and is sure to give the sport an economic boast.

With Tiger’s history of winning after returning from long breaks, most people expect him to step back onto the course, regain his patented swing and remain at the head of the class.

A majority of people answering an ESPN poll pick him to win the Accenture Match Play Championship where he is a three-time winner. Many of the experts, however, expect to see some rust.

When Woods won the open last year, he had approximately an 11 point lead in the ratings that has since shrunk to 2.05. Being competitive in nature, Tiger’s return gives him an opportunity to pad that lead and remain in the top spot where he has been a permanent fixture.

And with baby Charlie Axel adjusting to the world with his time clock out of synch, Woods has this opportunity to go back to work so he can get some sleep.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

Also see sexy Maylan Studart in the Sexiest Female Athletes Photo Gallery here.

NEW YORK – Thoroughbred horse racing may have found their version of Danica Patrick.

Maylan Studart, a sexy 19-year-old horse jockey from Rio De Janeiro is racking up a load of victories and turning a few heads in the process.

Since winning the $50,000 Lindsay Stakes race at Calder Race Track late last year, guiding Got Clearance to the finish line in record time, the attractive competitor has generated quite the fan base.

Like Danica, after joining a male-dominated sport, the hot Brazilian has many fans awaiting the horse racing industry to market their sexy jockey as the IRL marketed Danica.

Maylan was a slam-dunk pick to join our other babes in the Sports Climax Hottest Female Athletes Gallery.

The young Brazilian seems to be taking it all in stride and her enthusiasm is evident, “Horse racing is in my blood, it’s my addiction and I can’t run away from it.

I’ve been involved with horses since I was four-years-old with jumping competition.”

Still adjusting to the intense competition and physical challenges of her sport, in November 2008 Studart brought home ‘Decorated Court’ at Aqueduct but took a spill that same week when she was thrown from ‘River of Dreams’ at Meadowlands race track.

Studart’s most recent wins include a Valentine’s Day 2009 victory aboard ‘Spa Princess’ in the 6th race and bringing home ‘Trillion’ on February 16, both victory rides at Aqueduct race track.

In a recent interview, when asked if it is tough riding against the guys, she responded with a shy laugh, “No not at all it’s something every woman does in this world, I mean, out on the track, it’s ‘Every man for himself’.”

Related Article: August 2009 Update on the Career of Sexy Brazilian Jockey Maylan Studart

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

ATLANTA – While Barry Bonds prepares for his trial and Roger Clemens awaits word on perjury charges, Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig remains on the hot seat following New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez’ press conference yesterday in Tampa.While the media spends their time over-analyzing how much truth A-Rod’s statements contained, many people still question whether Selig has spent the past decade ignoring his league’s steroid abuse problem.

Selig is quick to deflect the blame.

During a Newsday interview, Selig continued defending his reputation, “I don’t want to hear the commissioner turned a blind eye to this or he didn’t care about it,” said Selig. “That annoys the you-know-what out of me. You bet I’m sensitive to the criticism.”

“A lot of people say we should have done this or that, and I understand that. They ask me, ‘How could you not know? When I look back at where we were in ’98 and where we are today, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made.”

“Starting in 1995, I tried to institute a steroid policy,” Selig continued. “Needless to say, it was met with strong resistance. We were fought by the union every step of the way.”

Many of us close to baseball assumed there was enhancement help of some kind during the 1998 home run race between Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire. Why would it suddenly be possible for not only one, but two players to breeze past Maris’ HR record the same year with one guy nailing 70 out of the park.

I remember driving down the interstate in Chicago during that summer of ’98 with my wife and most every day that week the numbers on the banner keeping tabs on Sosa’s race were increasing by the day, reaching far past Roger Maris’ record of 61. Sosa ended up with 66 that year, four behind McGuire’s record-setting 70.

When asked about that home run race, Selig continues to defend himself and the league. In diminutive defense of Selig, the MLBPA union and the owners did not implement a joint drug program until 2002 with that agreement allowing punishment starting in 2004 so his argument is that his hands were somewhat tied.

“It is important to remember that these recent revelations relate to pre-program activity,” Selig told Newsday. “Under our current drug program, if you are caught using steroids and/or amphetamines, you will be punished. Since 2005, every player who has tested positive for steroids has been suspended for as much as 50games.”

While receiving a little bit of help from icons like Hank Aaron, Selig remains in a difficult position, being asked to throw his players and league under the bus and may be forced to remain in the damage-control mode for many months to come.

The Commish could always consider deflecting some of the recent attention of the ’98 home run race by blaming Sosa’s corked bats.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

TAMPA – Alex Rodriguez, following in the past footsteps of teammates Jason Giambi and Andy Pettitte, kick-started the New York Yankees training camp with a press conference regarding steroid use.Last season, Pettitte stepped up to the mics and said, “I never did it (injections) to get an edge on anyone. I did it to get off the DL”.

This year, in a highly-publicized media session, A-Rod stepped up to the plate against a standing room only crowd of 150-200 media members who were hoping to get an opportunity to pitch a few questions at one of MLB’s biggest stars.

A-Rod started the session reading a written statement before taking questions. “Like everyone else, I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life”, said Rodriguez. “The only way I can learn to handle them is to learn from them and move forward”.

After referring to the substance he had injected as an “energy booster”, the 2003 MVP went on to say, “My cousin would inject it in me. We consulted no one it was pretty evident we didn’t know what we were doing. I stopped taking it in 2003 and haven’t taken it since”.

It seemed like a lot of work, setting up additional satellite trucks and sophisticated equipment at Steinbrenner Field just to watch a guy read a statement then avoid a few reporter’s brush-back deliveries and foul off a few of the curveball questions.

Many people will want to elaborate on some of the vague responses he gave throughout the session and how his statements are changing over time. During his interview with Peter Gammons last week, A-Rod said he did not remember being injected but in today’s statement he mentions taking the syringe.

Today, Rodriguez said when he used the substance from 2001-03, he did not believe it was anything illegal and he thought it was an energy booster.

Many of the media and fans believe the player’s recent admissions are only occurring because he was out-ed and A-Rod fielded that exact question, “If your name was never revealed in the SI report, would you have come out on your own?” one reporter asked.

“I haven’t thought about it”, said A-Rod. “But I’m her to share my story and put it out there and hopefully I can put this behind me and my teammates don’t have to carry the burden of answering all the questions for me”.

Chances are, after fouling off a bunch of the questions and leaving the media wanting more, A-Rod and his Yankees should expect to field a lot more questions on the topic.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax