Jalen Rose: "Walis, walis!"

BroomDoom: NBA analyst Jalen Rose brandishes a Filipino "Walis" on ESPN during the half time break of Game 4: GS Warriors-NO Pelicans alluding to the imminent Warriors' sweep of the Pelicans.

Foul Shot: "No. 3! Chauncey!"

 Technical Foul: Stephen A. Smith drops the ball and bungles NBA champ Mr. Big Shot's jersey number on ESPN's First Take - "No. 3! Chauncey!"

Ichiro shines in Yankees win over the Red Sox

Ichiro Suzuki doing what he does best by going on 3 of 4 at bats, belting two solo homers to help the New York Yankees outlast traditional nemesis Boston Red Sox 4-1 in New York.

The game featured three Japanese ballplayers -- Suzuki, his teammate pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, who got the win against Josh Beckett, and pitcher Junichi Tazawa of the Red Sox.

Efren Reyes in His First Predator World Tournament of 14.1 !

 

by Melanie Marquez Domingo  

Queens, New York - Finally! The Magician will weave his magic for the very first time in a world competition for straight pool. 14.1 fans will be going crazy to see Efren showing his cue ball mastery in the ultimate game of patterns and control. Reyes can be seen at the Predator 72nd World Tournament starting on July 29th - August 3rd, 2012 at Carom Cafe in New York City. Fans and players alike can checkout www.Worldstraightpool.com for exclusive interviews with the pro stars, and all the latest and even archive news of the World Tournament. Dragon Promotions in conjunction with Dr. Michael Fedak is bringing the greatest straight pool players in the world to the greatest 14.1 event existing. 

"Efren is a legendary talent and he represents a nation that has risen to the very top of the pool world. His presence at the tournament raises the temperature of the competition, the enthusiasm of the fans, and enhances its stature as a true world class tournament," said Dr. Fedak, the World Tournament's main benefactor.

Efren Reyes will be representing the Philippines during the event on which has had close calls, but no Filipino Champion yet. Dennis Orcullo got a Bronze in 2008 while Francisco Bustamante finished with a Silver in 2009. Can Efren be the one who finally clinches it for his country?

Philippines pro sports analyst Bob Guerrero of Yahoo! Sports Philippines says: "I read he made a century run in a 14.1 tournament years ago. He could do it again. Straight pool may not be his game, but for sure he can figure it out and go deep, just like Dennis Orcullo and Django Bustamante have done before at the World Tournament. 14.1 is the easiest game and the hardest game rolled into one. But one thing is sure, Efren is still a top 10 favorite to win. He's so experienced that I'm certain he will be fine."

Efren has been captivating the minds of pool fans for decades and has been the people's champion around the world

Japan's top billiard site journalist Takao Takayama of www.onthehill.jp concurs:"Efren is an older player, so it is difficult for him to pot long distance shots. But in 14.1, with more balls on the table, he will play better. The math for Efren is this; 10-ball better than 9-ball, 8-ball better than 10-ball, and 14.1 better than 8ball. He won't leave himself many difficult shots. So of course he has a chance. If he wins, I will not be surprised at all." Japan will be having their national Japan 14.1 tournament this weekend and the top winner will likely attend the Predator World Tournament.

"It's really exciting to have Efren playing in our World Tournament for the first time. Everyone we have spoken to about it so far have been absolutely ecstatic that they get to watch the greatest player alive performing the art of straight pool," said Cindy Lee, CEO of Dragon Promotions. This is the seventh year in a row Dragon Promotions has produced the event in 14.1's one hundred year history.

The Official Equipment of the World Tournament is Olhausen Tables, Championship Cloth, Kamui Chalk, and Predator Cues.

Tickets will be sold at the door during the event. Tickets for the Straight Pool Hall of Fame Banquet can be bought in advance online at www.worldstraightpool.com

The complete listing of this year's roster of players will be on www.worldstraightpool.com soon, as well as quotes and tip from your favorite star players such as Johnny Archer, Thorsten Hohmann, Darren Appleton, Mika Immonen, John Schmidt, Efren Reyes, Allen Hopkins, Stephan Cohen, Charlie Williams and many, many more. The site also contains all the info on purchasing tickets for the event, The 14.1 Hall of Fame Banquet, and discounted hotel reservations at the Sheraton Hotel where the event takes place. During the event, daily updates will be added every few hours so fans can keep up with all the latest results and exciting stories. The site will also have the official brackets and tournament charts from the round robin through the end final single elimination charts.

Daily match times and complete tournament schedule will also be on the site.

Get the latest news by following http://www.facebook.com/Worldstraightpool and www.twitter.com/Dragonpromoter

Venue and Hotel: Host location: Carom Café – 3402 Linden Place – Flushing NY 11354 (718) 358-5467
Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel 135-20 39th Ave, Flushing New York 11354 (718)460-6666
Group Code: Dragon Promotions Group Rate $169 Rates good through  July 8th only.

The 2012 Predator World Tournament is proudly co-sponsored by Championship Cloth, Olhausen Tables, Amsterdam Billiards, Aramith Balls, Pool & Billiard Magazine, Kamui Brand, and straight pool aficionados Dr.Louis Pannullo of NYC, Stu Mattana of NYC, Ralph Rubin of MD, and Tom Gleich of NC. Co-contributors Dr.James Heller and Charles Eames. For more information on player registration, sponsorship, or if you would like to submit a comment, please email worldstraightpoolchampionships@gmail.com or contact Dragon Promotions at 1-407-782-4978.

Full event info is now at www.Worldstraightpool.com and more info on www.dragonpromotions.com

DunKing: Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin, the young power forward for the Los Angeles Clippers, is a superb athlete and a terrific dunker. He possesses the lift and the power to execute and make those monstrous dunks with ease. Even if you try to block and stop him, he will still soar and overpower you, and finally, dunk on you.

video credit: YouTube/NBA

photo credit: Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty Images

Bank Shot, Best Shot

When it comes to putting the ball through the hoop, Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers is one of the best in the NBA today.

What separates him from the rest, though, is the way he makes circus shots easy and effortless; He makes the impossible possible and the difficult beautiful.

NBA Grapevine: Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups involved in potential 3- way trade

There are rumors on the NBA grapevine that an imminent deal is on hand involving three parties- the Denver Nuggets, New Jersey Nets and the Detroit Pistons.

The Carmelo Anthony situation in Denver is becoming untenable day by day ever since the All Star forward indicated that he wants out of the Mile High City and the Nuggets are pushing hard to get as much value in return if they are to part with their prized player.

The deal is said to involve shipping the Nets' Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, and two first round picks to the Nuggets, who will then send Anthony and Billups to New Jersey in return.

The deal will also send disgruntled Pistons guard Rip Hamilton to the Nets in exchange for power- forward Troy Murphy and his $8 million expiring contract which will be shouldered by the Pistons.



Photo credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images North America