Last week, all the buzz was the alleged run-in between Marv Albert and rapper 50 Cent. There were reports of a verbal confrontation and some even said that there was a potential punch thrown in the fracas. Well over the weekend, Marv came out and said that not only was the punch a fabrication, the whole incident was. Via USA Today....

At issue is what happened when Albert last week was getting set to appear on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live. As he was walking backstage to his dressing room he "heard something" that he thought were people "kidding around." The raised voices, he thinks, came from someone with rapper 50 Cent— another Kimmel guest — wanting to use a phone in Albert's room. "But I didn't even see the guys and don't even think there was a scuffle."

Still, the diminutive TNT NBA announcer says he and friends and family found various online accounts of "stuff that never happened" — included that he and 50 Cent had a fight. "I kept reading about new things that never happened. Maybe it will keep going until Jimmy Kimmel gets punched."

Well that solves that. It seemed a little far fetched, but crazier things have happened. I'm just happy that we don't have to worry about Albert being gunned down in Vegas after a boxing match. Whew.

Marv Albert finds Web reports 'upsetting' (USA Today)

Well there's a title I never thought I'd write. Apparently there was a bit of a scuffle at the Jimmy Kimmel Show that included Marv Albert versus 50 Cent and his posse. Via the LA Times....

As Albert arrived, with an entourage of one, TNT public relations specialist Jeff Pomeroy, there was a sudden scuffle when a multitude of 50 Cent protectors seemed unfamiliar with Albert. There was shouting ("It's Marv Albert," yelled a Kimmel show guard, a pronouncement that seemed to have no effect on the 50 Cent phalanx.) There were obscenities. A fist or two flying. A "Don't you put your hands on me" pronouncement.

And finally Albert made it to his waiting room, relatively unruffled but slightly puzzled. "Did you see that?" Albert said. "I thought they were kidding, but then I realized they weren't."

I thought this was a joke at first, or a PR stunt, but it actually isn't. How someone couldn't recognize Marv Albert is beyond me, but furthermore, how someone could want to rough up a 68 year old man is beyond me. You are dead to me 50 Cent! Actually that took place after his second album dropped....soooo you're doubly dead to me!

Marv Albert And 50 Cent’s Entourage Mix It Up Backstage At Jimmy Kimmel’s Show (S of B)
Marv Albert gets recognition from Jimmy Kimmel, but not everyone at show (LA Times)

I made the mistake of "Billy Packering" the Magic after a terrible first quarter, but it was for a good cause. Lebron finally figured out that he needed to drive to the basket, and in his deciding to do so, opened up the floor for his teammates. So much so, that he was a part of almost every basket for the Cavs in the 4th (A point or assist on 32 straight points is just ridiculous). Here are your highlights from the end of the game....

So that was pretty a pretty entertaining Game Five, but the Magic still have the upperhand and none of the pressure. On a side note, I loved that section of the vid where Reggie couldn't get a single person's name right in the crowd (Hi A-Rod!!!). Who is this Mario Rivaro you speak of? At least he wasn't the only person on TNT's crew who couldn't figure out exactly who Ben Roethlisberger was. Via Sparty and Friends....


TNT Knows Their Quarterbacks! (Sparty and Friends)

Ray Allen has hit what seems like fourteen buzzer beaters during these Playoffs, and Paul Pierce had an amazing game last night. However, it was Big Baby who the Celtics decided to take the last shot, and he didn't disappoint....

My favorite part is when he lightly shoves the Magic fan in the white t-shirt. Well that and of course the call by Marv Albert. Great play though, and with that win, you already know that the Celtics are taking this series over now.

Kanye West was recently knocked down a few pegs by South Park, but apparently he's back on his game in this new NBA Playoffs commercial. The song is "Amazing", and after splicing in a few announcers saying the word (namely Marv Albert), this is what you get. Via Alana G....

The NBA never puts out a bad commercial these days, and that one is no exception. The song however, I will pass on.

New NBA Playoff Spot Featuring Kanye (Alana G)

I've been hard on Reggie Miller in the past, but unlike some of former player brethren, he has actually continually improved each year. He's even surpassed that un-listenable tag that I gave him two years ago, and can actually be pretty entertaining at time. Take for example this clip from last night's Rockets-Cavs game.

One of the fun things that Reggie does, is get extremely excited while throwing it to commercial after a good play. Here, Ron Artest makes a three to put Houston up fourteen points, and Reggie gets so amped and winded, that Marv actually has to ask if he's okay....

Whooooo! If he gets that pumped for a random three pointer, imagine what happens on a dunk. I wonder if Marv has a paper bag on hand for when the Playoffs get underway. Good lord.

I Have One Word For Reggie Miller "Decaf" (BSO)
Reggie Miller Needs To Stop Drinking Powerthrist (Ball Don't Lie)

I guess it's hard not to get excited when you see a shot from midcourt with 1.8 seconds left. I give you Devin Harris....

My favorite part of that whole clip? Violet Palmer vehemently waving off the shot, while the other refs immediately get ready to head to review the play. What a shot! Oh and according to Brook Lopez, Devin...."You Rock!"....

It's rare that I see any of the new Simpsons episodes, so I missed this little cameo during last night's episode. Marv Albert made an appearance as himself, well his voice did, and I wanted to pass along the clip. First though, Marv did an interview with USA Today, and had this to say about his experience tapping the show.

While the breadth of Marv Albert's cinematic oeuvre is substantial, he's been narrowly typecast: He always plays a sportscaster — specifically, always himself.

But still, the TNT NBA analyst and longtime sportscaster doesn't feel Hollywood has overlooked his potential versatility: "I was up for the lead in Quantum of Solace, but I passed. You have to know your limitations."

But even always playing yourself doesn't mean you can't stretch. On Fox's The Simpsons Sunday, he played himself calling a game while being attacked by bees. The show's star, he says, generously helped him with back story and motivation — "Homer was on the phone talking me through it."

I still think Al Michaels performance on Hawaii Five-O was better, but not bad at all. So with that cameo, you can add an appearance on "The Simpsons" to Marv's long illustrious Movie/TV career which includes such classics as: The Cookout, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, Sesame Street, Saved By the Bell, The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh, Frasier, The King of Queens, Everybody Loves Raymond, Eddie and The Game Plan!

Marv of the movies: Always in character (USA Today)

So what did you miss while going to bed early last night? Just a ridiculous finish in the Portland-Houston game that included a three-point play by Yao to put the Rockets up one followed by a ridiculous Brandon Roy three to win it with .08 left on the clock. And that was just in overtime. Let's go to the videotape!

YES! God you gotta love Marv Albert, even though he was about 20 seconds slow on the Yao Ming foul call. I can't emphasize enough how fun the Blazers are to watch. I know I'm about the 100,000th person on the bandwagon, but I'm officially on checked in.

Brandon Roy Will Not Be Denied (Fanhouse)

After the success of the NHL's foray into games without roofs, the NBA's attempt didn't exactly go as planned on Saturday night. You'd have thought that holding the game in California would quell all worries about inclement weather, but high winds and low temperatures caused a ton of problems for the Nuggets and Suns. Here are a quotes from the players involved and the announcers on TNT calling the game....

Barkley on the idea of outdoor games:

Barkley: “I suggested it last year. They were trying to figure out ways to spice up the All-Star Game. I had just watched a hockey game outdoors. The All-Star Game should be an exhibition. Doing it outside, I think, would be fantastic.”

George Karl on the conditions:

Karl: "The players said they couldn't sweat, the ball was slippery and the wind, I think, was a factor in the poor shooting and the poor free throw shooting. But I'm glad we did it. It's an experience. We might want to start the game at 5 o'clock maybe instead of 7."

Charles Barkley and Marv Albert on Nene:

Barkley: "First of all we have to start calling him Nene Hilario because he hasn;t done enough in the NBA to go by one name. Come on now, no disrespect, but he has not done enough to go by one name."
Albert: "He did make the (name) change legally."
Barkley: "I know but that doesn't mean anything, Marv. I suppose you think we should call (Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver) Chad Johnson (by his nickname) Ocho Cinco."
Albert: "No, that's a different story."

Steve Nash on the Conditions Outside:
Nash: "It was hard. You shoot the ball and then it starts slicing right."

Barkley and Reggie Miller on the Best Point Guards in the NBA:

Barkley: "Chris Paul and Deron Williams are the two best point guards in the NBA right now. I love (Suns point guard) Steve Nash but this is Chris Paul's and Deron Williams' league right now. I always say that Chris Paul is driving and Deron Williams is in the backseat."
Miller: "Where's Steve Nash?"
Barkley: "He's in the trunk."

Suns Coach Terry Porter on the Temperature:

Porter: "We need to get those benches heated like they have in football where you have hot seats."

Reggie Miller during a shootaround before the game:

Miller: “This will always be here, and this will be always here.” [Miller pointing to his right hand and then to Barkley's gut]

Even though none of the players seemed to have good games, these outdoor games are something that need to be featured more often in the warm weather cities. It's rare that new ideas work out in Sports, because just about everything has been tried up to this point. Maybe the event planners need to have an arena as backup nearby in case the weather gets bad like it did Saturday night, but I still think the possibilities with outdoor games are endless and ultimately a lot of fun for the fans.

Charles Barkley a fan of outdoor games (The Desert Sun)
Outdoor game sees shooting, temperature drop (NBA.com)

Set your DVRs now people. TNT announced today that they plan on televising the outdoor, preseason matchup, between the Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets this Saturday. That's awesome in its own right, but they're even sending Marv Albert, Reggie Miller and Charles Barkley to announce the game. Via Turner Sports....

TNT, home of exclusive Thursday night NBA doubleheaders throughout the regular season, announced today that NBA legends Charles Barkley and Reggie Miller, alongside veteran play-by-play announcer Marv Albert, will serve as game-side announcers for the “AutoTrader.com Open” outdoor preseason game on Sat., Oct. 11 featuring the Phoenix Suns vs. the Denver Nuggets from the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, CA. The landmark game, the first ever outdoor NBA match-up to be played in the U.S., will be televised exclusively on TNT and marks the first time that the three basketball icons have been teamed together for a national broadcast.

TNT’s coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET with a pregame show hosted by TNT NBA Insider David Aldridge along with Barkley and Miller. Game coverage follows the tip-off show which will be called by Barkley, Miller and Albert, with reporting by TNT’s Cheryl Miller. Aldridge, Barkley and Miller will also appear on the game halftime show.

I don't know if you remember two years ago when we spent time with Marv and the Chuckster, but you really need to drop everything that you're doing, and watch this game. Sure the game is the first outdoor NBA game ever (and on a Saturday night), but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Barkley will make fun of Reggie the entire game, Marv will be left to pick up the pieces, and hilarity will ensue. The first time even spawned the infamous "Barkley-Bavetta" All-Star Game Race!

Actually I have a better idea. Record the game, go out on Saturday night, and then watch it when you get home. Trust me.

A Review and The Rest of the Charles Barkley Quotes (Awful Announcing)

The New York area is all about the national announcers as of late, but this seems like a smart move. Word is that YES will soon be reuniting the once NBC and occasional TNT duo of Marv Albert and Mike Fratello for the Nets' 2008-2009 season. Via the NJ Star-Ledger....

The Nets have filled the TV analyst gig left vacant by Mark Jackson, we're told, and the choice is none other than Mike Fratello (of course).

We all should have seen this coming: Mike's family is still in Hackensack, his kids are in NYC, his heart remains in Jersey, and there aren't many people better at this gig - especially when he's teamed with Marv Albert.

The announcement is still some time off, presumably because he is shopping around for a new telestrator.

The Knicks and Nets may have two of the worst teams in the NBA last season but they've got the announcer market cornered. I'm not the biggest "Czar" fan, but he knows his stuff, and when you Marv Albert, Mike Breen, Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel, Bob Wischusen, Gus Johnson, Walt Frazier, etc....New York has some pretty good leads and backups in their stable.

NJ Nets: Marv and Czar, Together Again (NJ.com)

Around the same time last year similar news came through the pipes that Steve Kerr was leaving TNT to head into the Suns' Front Office. That was a sad day as one of the best broadcast teams of Albert and Kerr was going to be broken up. Ultimately Reggie Miller would fill the whole and I would weep some more.

Well today is a glorious day because it appears that next season we won't have to hear about Doug Collins' tales of coaching becuase....he will be coaching. The Bulls....

Doug Collins will become the next Bulls head coach, according to a source. The source said the deal is expected to be announced "sooner rather than later." Expect one of the other candidates general manager John Paxson interviewed to be one of Collins' assistants.

Recently, Collins said he didn't want to leave his broadcasting job with TNT. Since then, the Bulls landed the No. 1 draft pick.

"I know Doug's got the itch [to coach again]," a league source said. "I think the Bulls' youth intrigues Doug more than the Phoenix [Suns] situation. He's a teacher That's what he likes to do.

It's funny how a draft pick changes things isn't it? In all honesty Doug Collins has toned it down a little bit this year and is doing a stellar job in the Western Conference Finals. No stories about Jordan, no word of his play in the Olympics, and no talking over Marv. I'm still hoping he leaves though.

Doug Collins to become Bulls head coach (Chicago Sun-Times)

I was almost ready to call this an MJ moment, but remembered that MJ's game (another famous Marv Albert call) was in the Finals. But in all seriousness Kobe was out of his mind in Game 2 and Marv and Reggie were there for the star to gesture at in the waning moments. Well them and JR Smith.....

It looked like Kobe was trying to play the middle school game where you put a circle out and if someone looks you get to hit them in the arm. I don't know how that turned into a "holstering his gun", but whatever works.

49 points is amazing, but to add 10 assists is just madness. The boy is bad.

So Craig Sager was trying to pass along the story of Nuggets' Coach George Karl making a video with Game One mistakes spliced with some other highlights. He referred to someone by the name of Kimbo Coles and streetfighting, and it left Marv Albert and Reggie Miller very confused. Craig came back on to clarify, but Marv was still lost.....

I'm so confused right now. Damn you Craig Sager.....now it's not just your loud ass suits but your anecdotes as well!!! Why in the hell would you be thinking about Bimbo Coles in the first damn place? While Vernell was a great player he played for neither the Nuggets or the Lakers in his career.

Also, I'm also pretty sure if I had to choose between Bimbo or Kimbo after me I'd choose Coles. Call me crazy.

Remember before when I said that the Soulja Boy had jumped the shark (yes I know JTS has JTS'd).....well I lied....

The TNT Graphics Department has completely lost it's collective mind after that showing. And yes, I laughed when the Q Loans Arena (worst. arena. name. ever.) played a snipet of SB after Deshawn missed a free throw. Per usual, Charles Barkley is right on. The Wizards are the officially the dumbest team "in history of civilization".

I don't know what it is about certain analysts that make them completely botch common phrases but Reggie Miller is definitely one of them. In this instance he's talking about how Lebron James is comparable to a fullback when he completely loses his grasp on the terminology.....

Since I came in right during the middle of the quote let's go to Brave Sir Robin for the full edition.....

“Lebron is like a full-back. With with a full steam of head you're not going to be able to grab him.”- Reggie Miller

Now that's just dirty. Add to that these following quotes and I think we've got ourselves a Reggie Miller open thread.....

“Gilbert he kinda likes this he wants the fans to be on him. I was that kind of player.”- RM
“I was going to point that out.”- MA

“Across the front head.” (As opposed to the other head on the back?)

“I think Caron Butler did a really good job giving the ball up way too early there.”

“You’ve got to keep the man on your back, go up, and reserve the rebound.”

"How does the Cleveland Cavaliers score?" (Do?)

"There's no asembalance of offense."

"Get into the lane. Wide open Ben Wallace finds an even wider open Wally Szczerbiak." (Via Anon)

And just like that it's 2-0......

Everyone is calling for the NFL Network to make a huge splash. Whether it's a smart choice like hiring Marv Albert, or an idiotic one like hiring Pam Ward, the choices are out there. I'm not even going to touch the Pam Ward thing again, but Marv Albert is an interesting choice. There's just one small problem, when the NFL Network gets their schedule underway in Week 10.....Albert is calling Thursday Night NBA games for TNT. Sure Albert does the Monday Night Football game on radio and he would be great, but there's no way TNT is sharing him on Thursdays.

So who does that leave? Well how about the guy that filled in for Gumbel during the Week 14 matchup between the Broncos and Texans?

Tom Hammond worked that game with Cris Collinsworth and I was shocked at how well they did as a team. They poked fun at each other at times and had fun with a game that had the Texans blowing away the Broncos in the 2nd Half. Most would have found a 31-13 game boring, but Hammond kept me watching somehow. He was so good that night that I wrote this following the live-blog....

As far as the booth goes. I don't know what to say. Tom Hammond is everything that Gumbel isn't. He was clear and concise, spoke with conviction, and didn't make mistakes (or cough up phlegm in the booth). Did someone say Wally Pipp? I hope the NFL Network is reading.

I hope they're reading again as I'm begging them to hire Tom Hammond to work with Collinsworth. Marv Albert would be great, but Hammond would be better.

So we're almost to the point of the year when I don't seem to get any sleep. That's what happens when you have West Coast NBA Playoff games ending at 3 in the g'damn morning, but what are you going to do? TNT is the main cause of my insomnia as the try to completely overload us with Basketball by providing a slate of 40 games in 40 nights.

They also get the Western Conference Finals this year which should be fun as long as the Spurs aren't involved (we all know they will be though). Here are your pairings for the opening rounds....

Marv Albert and Reggie Miller
Kevin Harlan and Doug Collins
Dick Stockton and Mike Fratello
Matt Devlin and ____________

Studio Team: Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Magic Johnson
Sideline Reporters: Craig Sager, David Aldridge, Cheryl Miller, Pam Oliver, Marty Snider, Dei Lynam, Stacy Paetz and Stephanie Ready
Other Contributors: John Thompson

All of that looks very similar to last year, but there's one very interesting twist. Reggie Miller isn't calling the Western Conference Finals and will be relegated to the Studio Team as Doug "I Coached Michael Jordan" Collins gets the nod. I have no idea why he's getting benched, or why you wouldn't just put Collins and Albert together in the first place, but I guess it's a good thing he's not on the call.

Actually I take that back. I'd rather have Reggie than Doug "I played in the Olympics and interrupt my lead more than Jay Bilas" Collins (he's got many nicknames). Oh and look for actor Terrance Howard on the commercials this year as well. Anyone but David Blaine is good at this point.

I've never been able to stand The Czar so I might not be the right person to comment on this video via Yahoo. Last Thursday Cheryl Miller was out sick so Mike Fratello and Reggie Miller took turns going down to the sidelines. Well Fratello used his time to throw it back to himself in the booth....

That really seems like something he thought out beforehand and came of rather smug if you ask me. Either way....please come back Steve Kerr. I miss you.

'Sideline reporter' Mike Fratello: 'Back to me, Marv' (Yahoo Sports)