Rudy Fernandez enters the Slam Dunk Contest

Fresh from the Press! Rudy Fernandez aka Da Man has won the polls and will be challenging Dwight "Superman" Howard for the Slam Dunk title in the coming All-Star Weekend in Phoenix on February 14. For those of you who forgot, Rudy dunked on Dwight during the last Olympics (click here for that story). Also in the contest are past winners Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks and Rudy Gay of the Memphis Grizzlies.

2008 Olympics Men's Basketball Gold Medal Going to Casino

Jason Kidd is throwing away
his gold medal to Wynn's Casino
owner Steve Wynn's wife
as payment for a three week stay
at one of their resorts.

Apparently, that's how
Kidd defines "Redemption."















An Atlanta rapper named
Maryjane has filed
a restraining order
against Phoenix Suns
center Shaquille O'Neal,
who has been stalking and
threatening her since their
romantic escapade ended a
month ago.

According to the poor
23 year old, Diesel
has been harassing her
with lewd phone calls
in the middle of the night
- the girl said that the calls
involved a lot of "heavy breathing."






Spanish guard Rudy Fernandez
made a huge impact in the
2008 Beijing Olympics
Men's Basketball Gold Medal
game yesterday.

The 6 foot 5 guard scored
22 points and sunk 5 three
pointers, including a late bucket
that kept Spain alive
in the closing minutes.

And did I mention
he posterized Dwight Howard?

Arenas Meets a Rene

Arenas Meets aRini

Dear d'Bench,

I've met my fair share of celebrities: President GMA, Karel Marquez, Richard Gomez, Alfred "Alfie" Vargas, and my favorite, Tita Isabel (Enrique Iglesias' mom). But last July 7, I met the best celebrity of all. My most favorite NBA player in the whole wide world: Gilbert Arenas. I've always been a huge fan of the Washington Wizards/Bullets. Ever since I was an 8-year old boy living in the wonderful city of Burke, Virginia (which is not a farm by the way), I would stay up late just to watch Washington Bullets games on TV. Fast forward 20 years later and I had the chance to meet the current face of the Wizards franchise.

At the Gawad Kalinga Brookside Village where Adidas and Arenas had donated a basketball court, I waited patiently for Agent Zero's interview with a little boy to finish. As I waited, a Solar Sports cameraman switched his attention to me. He shot me wearing my Wizards/Arenas t-shirt and I even did some poses, pointing to his name on the back. I think I looked like an idiot, but who cares. I was on TV. You guys can watch it when it airs on BTV, though I'm not sure when that is. It might have aired already. It's the basketball show with Vito Lazatin and Lia something (former Ateneo on court reporter) as the hosts. I wouldn't know because I no longer have that channel. Sky Cable replaced BTV with Balls, a channel that mostly televises live LPGA Tour events. Oh what joy.

Anyway, when the interview with Arenas and the kid finished, he stood up and started walking towards the court to do some activities. On his way there people started asking for pictures and autographs. He kindly obliged every single one. My mom told me to go get my picture taken with him, so I walked up to him and said "Hey Gilbert, can I have a picture?" I will never forget what he said to me. He said "Oh ok." Wonderful. So I stood next to him and we both made probably the gayest pose ever. But I didn't care. I was in heaven. I think I felt like Manny Pacquiao after he met his idol, Kevin Garnett. But without the fame. And the money. And the sports accolades. And the mustache. So, I guess I felt nothing like Manny Pacquiao. Anyway, that was my Gilbert Arenas experience here in Manila. Oh, I would like to apologize to Alwin San Jose aka Black Bibby for not being able to take his picture with Arenas due to technical difficulties with the camera. Nevertheless, he was still able to get his jersey autographed. Thanks buddy. Next time.

Lab,

Rene aka Rini

Shaq Freestyle Kobe Diss

I must admit, that's some good rappin. But to say that Kobe can't do it without Shaq. I mean come on. COME-mah ON-nah.

Shaq won four titles. 3 with Kobe. 1 with a HEALTHY Dwayne Wade. Then what? He couldn't get past the first round. If Shaq was not traded to the Suns he wouldn't even be in the playoffs this year.

It's a fact. Kobe still hasn't won without Shaq. But at least he had a chance this year. The Lakers are the defending champions of the West. They have something to bring this November. As for Shaq, I'll be very surprised if he finished the regular season.

Kenny is not Kobe

Kenny Smith tries to do what Kobe did. Is he successful?

Melo Arrested for DUI

Look at that gangsta mugshot!

He got pulled over for weaving and failing to dim his headlights. Needless to say, he failed sobriety tests.

According to RealGM, Melo is ranked 31st in the most paid NBA players - which means he could easily hire a chauffeur if he wanted to.

"Poor" boy.

He is turning 24 this May.

The Dork Returns

After sitting out four games, the Dallas Mavericks' fraudulent MVP returns and "inspires" his team to their first win against a .500 team since the blockbuster J-Kidd trade.

Dirk admits that he is not 100% (as evident by his face in the above photo), but today's match-up is just too crucial for him to sit out.

With the win, the Mavs move ahead by a game over 8th placer Denver and by two over Golden State. It's like watching 2 girls share 1 cup (birds with a stone is so yesterday). So congratulations, Dork! Good luck on your next two games -- when you visit the Lakers and the Suns!

Bibby Going to Atlanta

It’s official: the Kings traded point guard Mike Bibby to the Hawks for Shelden Williams, Tyronn Lue, Anthony Johnson and Lorenzen Wright and a 2008 second-round draft pick.

Bibby should increase his production in Atlanta as a second offensive threat to JJ.

Marvin Williams will likely take a hit with Bibby’s arrival.

Beno Udrih becomes an instant pick-up if you’re desperate for a PG (even when Bibby was out, numbers aren’t consistent enough).

Shelden Williams will probably get more playing time in Sactown.

What's Missing in New Orleans?

In case you didn't notice, Shaq's no longer in the lineup. The 14-year streak is over. Pat Riley was actually pushing to get him in there -- saying Stern could make use of special powers to include players in the game. Of course now that he is with the Suns, Riley couldn't care less. And apparently even the coaches shared this same sentiment as he was not even included in the ballot. Ouch.

Los Angeles is Spanish

But that's not the only reason why Gasol is a great fit for his new team. In case you missed it (the biggest trade of the season), Pau Gasol is now with the Lakers. He'll be manning the low post in the Phil Jackson triangle offense. Kobe said it himself: Pau has great basketball IQ. Aside from the usual PF/C skills, the Spaniard can pass -- and now he'll be dishing out dimes to arguably the best finisher in the game. Or to Lamar Odom. Or even to Bynum or Fisher or the rest of the Lakers. Any which way you look at it: Fantasy Gold.

Gilly Gorilla

Shows how irritating Gilbert Arenas can be.. But still: 73FG% with one hand! DeShawn: defensive player.

Wheatnezz

LeBron James is absolutely killing it on the court. He's been averaging 37.5-10.2-9.5* in the past six games -- which includes today's win against The Big Three. Wow. If VC was once called "half-man, half-amazing," this "boy" is just plain amaf*ckinzing! LBJ just killed you, mofo.

*season: 31.7-8.0-8.5

Zero the Zoothzayer

Here's the Boston Prediction:

Prediction Time

Oh man, everybody is jumping on this Celtics band wagon. You know what? I was going to go prediction-free for the whole year, but I guess I'm going to break that now.

Now, if anybody remembers back when I got drafted, I got a report back that the reason I dropped so far in the draft was that Jim O'Brien of the Celtics said that I was too immature and that I wasn't ready for the NBA. What really happened was that I had an Achilles injury and I went back to L.A. to go get it healed when I was supposed to have a two-day workout in Boston with O'Brien. He didn't like that. So word came back to me that he was trashing me and it put this knife through my chest about the Boston Celtics.

Back in the day when I would day dream I thought that if I could score 100 points against any team it would be the Boston Celtics. Now, I knew it would never happen, but if I could do one thing in the NBA it would be to score 100 against Boston. So anyway, since everybody is back on the Boston bandwagon it brought back old memories. So listen here. On November 2nd, we're going to go into that building, we're opening up Boston. Right now I'm telling the Boston fans: You guys are going to lose. It's not going to be a victory for Boston. You might as well just cheer for me, because Boston isn't winning in Boston for the season opener. I'm sorry.

I love it! But he didn't stop there:

Big Three vs. Big Three

When I said we were going to beat the Celtics on November 2, was that really a prediction? I don’t think I wanted to say, “Hey, we’re going to play Boston and we’re going to lose!” Agent Zero is coming in the building. I’m back. I know all you Boston fans are going to want to go to see Kevin Garnett, but y’all are going to see him 41 games. You’re only going to see me twice! Me and my handsome self. I got a fresh cut for the Boston and Indiana fans. Break out the Arenas jerseys. I’m coming to town.

I mean, when you look at that Celtics team, that’s a powerful team … on paper. Once those guys get going, you’re in trouble. You can’t guard that team … on paper. You still have to play the games. But with Kevin Garnett, the way he’s playing, you’ve seen some of the stats. He hit a triple-double once and he was one rebound and one assist away from a triple-double the game before that. So once them guys get their niche, they’re going to be a good team. But November 2 for them, that’s going to be truh-bull. Trouble.

Oooh! Then they lost by 20. KG had 22 20 5 3 3 50FG% 4-4FT. Now that's trouble. You and your big mouth.

This is the DARK in Darko

After losing by a point to Greece in EuroBasket 2007, Darko had more than a point to spew out in his outburst:

Reporter: Darko Milicic, congratulations despite the loss. First impressions?

Darko: Nothing, these three big sh*theads, these two.. three p*ssies have cheated us, that's what happened. This p*ssy, these three sh*theads think they are something. I will go and f*ck their mothers' p*ssy -- all three of them, that's what I'm gonna do.. p*ssies all three of them, I'm gonna f*ck his Italian mother in her p*ssy, man, that's what I want to say..

Reporter: Darko, calm down a little bit, your impressions of the game?

Darko: He's a sh*thead, he should s*ck my d*ck.. go on.. write that, man.. all three of them, the first one and the second one and the third one.. I don't give a damn about this, that's what I want to say..

Reporter: ???

Darko: P*ssies.. they don't call anything.. he sh*t in his pants.. I will f*ck his mother in the mouth, man.. if he has a daughter, I will also f*ck his daughter!

Reporter: ???

Darko: ..we are fighting here, I died.. I need an infusion, do you understand.. and they cheat us like sh*t..

Wow. Raping referee's daughters. Apparently they use these slurs often in their country. Performing unwarranted sex with your enemy's relatives are comparable to saying they are tarantado or gago.

Orgasmic shot...

Need I say more?

Who's Next? Allan Houston!

"It's something I'd like to do," Houston said. "It's just a matter of getting myself back in game shape and getting used to playing again."

He might play for Cleveland, New York, or Dallas [possibly with Chris Webber]. Houston [Allan] has had bad rep since getting his huge $20M annual salary contract and refusing knee surgery prior to the 04-05 season. What a douche.

No one's gonna pay much for an aging douche so hopefully he's in it to win. Hopefully. I'm not buying it so hopefully he joins Dallas.

terms:
douche

Penny Hardaway to reunite with Shaq

Former Superstar Anfernee Hardaway will play for the Heat this coming season. Penny is 36 year old. Much, much younger compared 42 year old Reggie Miller who is planning to join the C's. Workouts have been great so there is a big chance we'll be seeing more playing time for the star. That, and the likely sitouts for Dwayne Wade. Last time we saw Penny on the court was in 2005 when he played 4 games for Orlando. He was waived.

Reggie Miller returning.. to Boston?

Rumors are going around that former NBA Superstar Reggie Miller is set to return to the hardcourt. But not as a Pacer.

Reports are that the sweet-shooting skeleton of a baller is contemplating on playing with the Celtics -- joining Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett. Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers asked him to play as backup for above mentioned Mr. Jesus Shuttlesworth [Allen]. Not bad considering a possible championship with a monster lineup.

Take it, Reggie! A possible first ring for all of you and a fairytale ending for your career.