The latest edition of Tomatoes climbs the vine of sports topics and touches upon many recent stories including football legends and their sons, golf legends faltering at another major, former NBA stars dreaming of a comeback and much, much more.

So as the headlines continue to get generated, more stories of sports frustration emerge.  Don’t sweat it, The Wife Hates Sports has them covered – in lycopene, that is.

Throwing Tomatoes: July 18, 2010

Nate Montana

…for being an apple that falls far from the tree.

Will Nate Montana be like his Dad, or just a "regular Joe"?

Nate Montana – a backup QB for Notre Dame and the son of Hall of Fame QB Joe Montana – was arrested for underage drinking over the weekend.

Fine, most college kids drink underage, I get that – but when you carry that name and family reputation for the Irish, one has to be smarter.

It’s not just making some critics think that the apple falls far from the tree, but instead of fruitful beginnings in South Bend, Irish fans are left thinking sour grapes.

Tiger Woods and the Media’s Crush

…for challenging my gag reflex.

A few years ago, I understood the media’s crush on Tiger Woods, even though I still felt it was a little much to show his every shot – even when out of contention during a major tournament.

Any chance we can tone down the Tiger coverage?

But now that he’s had his name dragged through the mud for months and months – and he’s failed to take a major or win a tournament all year, it’s about time that we take a step back in the Tiger coverage – just a hair.

Either that, or replace it with some more press conferences featuring Tiger and the British media – that would be the ‘bees knees’.

Pacquiao-Mayweather

… for being a sports topic with little punch.

It certainly feels like an eternity that this dream match between Pacquiao and Mayweather has been discussed.

In the end, it’s all bark and no bite.

As the deadline passes, it’s “blah blah blah”, trash talk stacked on top of trash talk – and in all likelihood, no match was decided upon because there wasn’t enough millions to go around for the two of them.

If you ask me, this story needs a permanent TKO.

Wendi Nix

…for botching a well-known sports movie line.

So I’m minding my own business watching coverage of the British Open championship, when Wendi Nix comes on to interview Rory McIlroy during coverage of the third round.

In the middle of the interview, Nix drops the line, “There’s no crying in football, so we’ll say there’s no crying in golf either…”

Hello, Wendi?

Talk about being in a “league of your own” – a female sportscaster that botches arguably one of the more famous lines in a sports movie featuring mostly females.

Maybe, I’m being a little overcritical – who knows.  I don’t know, what do you think, Tom?

Penny Hardaway

…for wanting to ride the coat tails of LeBron, D-Wade and Bosh.

I’ve already pitched in my two cents on this story, but it simply deserves a tomato, too – as Penny Hardaway has made it known that he’d like to come out of retirement and play for the Miami Heat this upcoming season.

Sure, if I had a penny for every person like Penny that said this, then… well… nevermind.

Joe Girardi

…for giving away an opportunity at home-field advantage in the World Series.

Joe Girardi could have handled the AL All-Star lineup better.

It’s no doubt a challenge when dealing with an All-Star lineup – and both Charlie Manuel and Joe Girardi were faced with a number of challenges in Anaheim a few short days ago.

But it’s Girardi that made the biggest blunders late in the game, leaving no speed on the bench and not pinch-running for Big Papi during a crucial time in the 9^th inning – one that could have made all the difference between earning home-field advantage and not.

Baseball and Mark Cuban

…for being a match made in hell.

Listen, I understand that Mark Cuban can be a strong personality, but he’s a passionate person and a great owner that puts a lot into his sports franchises.

The first part of that statement is why I understand why Major League Baseball continues to ignore him – first when he expressed interest in buying the Chicago Cubs, and recently when he “offered to help” with the Texas Rangers – a team that has had recent financial troubles and will be up for auction on August 4^th.

But wanting to win very badly and put blood, sweat and tears into his franchise… what’s wrong with that?

So, c’mon MLB – give “Cubes” a chance – this really could be a match made in heaven.

This has been Throwing Tomatoes, where no tears were shed in the writing of this post.

Face it sports fans, even though LeBron James’ “Decision” was made well over a week ago, all related stories about King James and the Miami Heat will continue to flow faster than obscenities out of Mel Gibson’s mouth.

The latest story is surrounding Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway and the fact that he’s expressed interest in joining LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami.

This is NOT the Miami Heat trio that Penny Hardaway wants to play ball with - but it may be yours.

Upon hearing this tidbit of news, two thoughts immediately came to mind:

1. Well, DUH – who wouldn’t want to join these three superstars in Miami?
2. Wait, Penny Hardaway is still playing in the NBA?

The answer to the second question is, “No, actually.”

Hardaway hasn’t played in an NBA game since the 2007-08 season where he managed to get into 16 games for – you guessed it, the Miami Heat.

In fact, Hardaway has only played in 57 total games dating back to the beginning of the 2004-05 NBA season.

Not only that, but Penny hasn’t been relevant since 2001-02, when he managed 12.0 points per game playing for the Phoenix Suns.

Hardaway also hasn’t been of superstar status since his 1996-97 campaign with the Orlando Magic, when he scored 20.5 points per game.

Throughout the ‘90’s in Orlando, Penny was a part of a talented team that once made the NBA Finals in 1995 and featured players such as Shaquille O’Neal, Nick Anderson and Dennis Scott, among others.

Does former NBA superstar Penny Hardaway want to ride the coat tails of the Miami Heat's elite trio of LeBron, Dwyane and Bosh?

Now, he wants to return to Miami to play for the Heat – in what many can only assess as being a desperate attempt to finally wear a ring and hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Only, when a player itches for something like this – I personally can only point out that winning a championship in this manner would feel completely and entirely watered down.

“Desperate” is the word that comes to mind.

Seriously, does a guy like Adam Morrison go around bragging about the fact that he’s wearing two rings – when any sports fan in their right mind would know that his butt is likely molded into the shape of the bench that he sits on all season long in Los Angeles?

As for the Miami Heat, it’s safe to say that Pat Riley and company are most certainly doing some “penny pinching” due to the fact that they already have three major contracts in place.

But that doesn’t mean that they would want to be doing some “Penny pinching”.

Miami has a number of other affordable options in NBA free agency that take the form of athletic 20-something bodies that are not injury prone or – gasp – washed up.

Even if the Heat wanted to think outside the box and search for seasoned veterans to ink a deal with, I would first consider players such as Reggie Miller or Allen Iverson before Hardaway.

My advice to Pat Riley: avoid the desire to consider Hardaway and instead focus on bench depth that would be able to provide valuable minutes over the course of a full season.

But hey, that’s just my TWO CENTS on PENNY – and you can take that to the bank.

Game over, Carmelo – literally.

After tonight, there will be a NEW WIFE in sports – as NBA superstar and Denver Nuggets small forward Carmelo “Melo” Anthony is tying the knot with TV personality Alani “LaLa” Vazquez.

It sounds like it promises to be quite an event, with plenty of well-known names attending,including newest unofficial member of the Miami Heat – and least favorite person in Cleveland – LeBron James.

The couple has been engaged since Christmas of 2004, and they have a son – Kiyan Carmelo Anthony, who was born in 2007.

It’s safe to say that a lot of us sports fans know who “Melo” is: key member of a national champion Syracuse team and later drafted by the Denver Nuggets with the third pick in the first round in the 2003 NBA Draft.

Since entering the NBA, Anthony has helped push his team to the playoffs every year.  Carmelo is also a three-time All-Star, winner of multiple Olympic medals and has scored 20+ plus points per game every season since entering the NBA.

But many ask the question, “Who’s LaLa?”

I know this because upon researching her, the majority of people can’t even spell her name correctly – including via this New York Post piece discussing their wedding.

Well, that’s the case if her official blog site is correct – which I assume that it would be.

Between “Lala” and “LaLa” or “Vasquez” and “Vazquez”, the options almost feel endless – but who is she, you may ask?

In a nutshell, Alani “LaLa” Vazquez is a former MTV VJ, a radio personality and a whole lot more, from producer to mother to aspiring actress.

On top of all that, she’s also quite striking – as you will see below in a pictorial presented by The Wife Hates Sports – in honor of the NEW WIFE in sports.

Well, officially new, at least.

LaLa Vazquez – Wife of Carmelo Anthony

 

Nice catch, Carmelo – and good luck to you both.

Image Credits: Bikini Shots SI.com – as you will see via the blown up images

LeBron James is headed to the Miami Heat, but there’s room in the state of Florida for another superstar – at least, there should be.

The Orlando Magic should aggressively counter Miami’s new and deadly trio of players (that have agreed to play for the Heat – with contract negotiations still pending).

LeBron is joining Bosh and Wade in Miami

The Magic now shift from being the 2^nd seed in the Eastern conference last season to arguably the 2^nd best team in the state.

That’s why Orlando needs to explore making a coiunter move – specifically adding a major piece that was mentioned in rumors around the time of the NBA Draft – and that was the talk of acquiring superstar point guard Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets.

Again, it remains to be seen if Chris Paul is even available via trade, as a number of the reports could just be misguided rumors.

Still, amidst the rumors emerging, Paul did chime in with a few thoughts on the matter.

“I want to win now,” Chris Paul said to John Reid of The Times Picayune late last week.

In another story, Paul went on to profess his love for the city of New Orleans, but reiterated a similar point – and a willingness to play elsewhere.

With Miami's new trio, Orlando should counter by trying to acquire Chris Paul

“My first choice is New Orleans,” Paul said in a story by Chris Broussard of ESPN The Magazine.  “I just want to make sure we’re committed to winning.  If we’re not committed to winning and trying to get better so we can contend with the Lakers, the Celtics and all these other top teams, then I’m open to being traded.”

Queue the Magic.

Orlando is in a winning position, what with reaching the NBA Finals two seasons ago and the Eastern Conference Finals this past season.

However, with the new duo of Chris Bosh and LeBron James soon to join Dwyane Wade just a few hours south of O-Town, it’s possible that the Magic’s elite postion in the Eastern Conference may be slightly in jeopardy.

With the Heat playing in the same division as Orlando, the Magic may lose a lot of home-court advantage, if they were to make it to the 2011 NBA Playoffs – which many feel they will.

That’s why Orlando should make a counter move, by adding a superstar that can push Miami harder than even the current Orlando roster can.

Enter Chris Paul.

Paul is open to a trade and he’d fit in quite well with Dwight Howard and the rest of the team.

As previously discussed, plenty of rumors have been mentioned involving Paul and a number of teams (including Orlando) – although it remains to be seen how much the Hornets would consider dealing away their superstar point guard – if at all.

That doesn’t mean that Orlando shouldn’t continue to explore such an option – and perhaps they are doing just that, especially after LeBron’s announcement came out Thursday night.

Among the rumors that have floated around in recent weeks included names like Jameer Nelson and Vince Carter being moved in such a deal.

Right now though, it’s not the names or the players that are involved, as Orlando certainly has the pieces that could be moved to New Orleans in exchange for a player like Chris Paul.

My point is instead that while many critics aren’t sold on the Miami Heat just yet, I do think the Magic should consider a counter attack to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference – just in case the trio of James, Bosh and Wade flourish on South Beach.

The Magic’s current roster – albeit very talented and explosive at times – didn’t have all the pieces in place to be able to handle a Boston Celtics team that had moments where it showed its age throughout the majority of the regular season.

Dwight Howard and the Magic are one of many powers in the Eastern Conference

Quite often the biggest pieces aren’t just superstars, but the ability to have a big man that can be a dominating presence, along with a scrappy point guard that can run the offense, while peppering in some scoring.

Dwight Howard is both the dominating presence and a superstar.

Jameer Nelson is that point guard.

But Chris Paul is that point guard – and then some.

That’s why this writer would like to see the Orlando Magic make this NBA offseason that much more interesting – by trying to find a way to acquire Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets.

Then we’ll see who will have the most “magic” on the court during the upcoming season – Superman and Co., or “The King” and his merry men.

If anything, it would make for great theater – and further shift the power of the NBA over to the Eastern Conference.

“The King” has made his decision – and while the process was drawn out and watered down in many ways, the overall aftermath from LeBron James’ decision to join the Miami Heat is still very major – and affects many players, fans and teams throughout the country.

In particular, here’s who I feel to be the WINNERS and LOSERS from LeBron’s decision to bolt Ohio for South Beach – in the form of a TWHS “Sexy Seven”, featuring seven on each list:

Winners and Losers from LeBron James’ Decision to Join Miami Heat

WINNERS

Pat Riley – “Riles” proves he’s still got it – being able to lure LeBron to Miami, putting together a super trio base of stars.  Miami still has some work to do adding depth and bodies to the Heat roster.

LeBron James – It’s a rollercoaster day for King James, and while he’ll certainly leave a hefty chunk of change on the table in exchange for joining Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh – Miami immediately becomes the potential favorites to not just win an NBA title, but start up a new dynasty.

Chris Broussard – The ESPN NBA analyst nailed the report leading up to LeBron’s big decision, all when there were a number of rumors flying across multiple cities that were in the mix.

Stephen A. Smith – Days ago, Smith discussed on The Dan Patrick Show that Bosh, Wade and James would wind up in Miami – and that it was basically “done”.  At the time, that description seemed very extreme, but Smith turned out to be correct – and has earned bragging rights.

Dwyane Wade – D-Wade gets his wish, adding two major pieces, while staying in the city where he began his career – and has won one championship.

Chris Bosh – Another obvious choice, as Bosh goes from being the lone star on a Canadian team, to joining two superstars in South Beach.

ESPN – Certainly, there are a lot of critics of the coverage and the handling of the situation, but in the end – LeBron and Co. approached the worldwide leader to put together an hour-long special, and ESPN is certainly reaping the benefits in the form of ratings, website PV’s and so on.

LOSERS

Byron Scott – Hey Byron, welcome to Cleveland – you’re superstar is heading south.  Umm, is that assistant job still available in La-La land?  Can anyone say out clause?

Adam Morrison – No player in recent years had an easier road to 2 NBA championships – while barely contributing at all.  Now, there’s a super trio of Wade, Bosh and LeBron in Miami?  C’mon now – we know Morrison is sensitive (see right).

Carlos Boozer – Boozer decided to head to Chicago, and while the Bulls will still be a talented group – they don’t just miss out on adding LeBron, but also now Boozer moves from the Western conference to the Eastern conference – where Miami, Boston and Orlando all play.

Amar’e Stoudemire – Same as with Boozer, Stoudemire left the West for the East – from Phoenix to New York.  He adds a piece to the Knicks, but New York still has a long way to go.

The City of Cleveland – No one should feel worse than the city of Cleveland, who most certainly should feel like certain doom is ahead for each of its sports franchises.  Cleveland hasn’t seen a title since 1964 – that’s almost 50 years.  Right about now, it has to feel like it will be 50 more before another arrives.

New Jersey Nets – The Nets are the biggest loser of this entire offseason, as the other big names in play for LeBron at least added other major pieces to their respective rosters.  The Nets’ current major signing has been Travis Outlaw, who agreed to a deal earlier Thursday.

Finally, there’s the King himself…

LeBron James – James – while also mentioned a winner – is also a loser in this situation, too.  Plain and simple, his home state hates him right about now – and during ESPN’s broadcast after “The Decision”, Shelley Smith reported that, “LeBron is the second most hated person in this city, Art Modell being first.”  Smith followed that statement with, “They’re very bitter.”

In addition, ESPN’s Rachel Nichols reported that many Knicks fans are now listing LeBron James as a more hated player than Reggie Miller.  Yikes.

So in the end, James certainly may finally get that ring while in Miami – but he’ll pay a major price when he travels on the road to Cleveland, New York and so on.