Jason Kidd is finally an NBA champion

By Sports Authority
JR Staff Writer

Following the retirement of Shaquille O'Neal, Jason Kidd found himself as one of the oldest players in the NBA. More important than age, Jason Kidd was a seasoned playoff veteran, but had nothing to show for his efforts. Starting his career with the Dallas Mavericks, the all-star point guard soon became a journeyman.

After his initial stint with Dallas, Jason Kidd joined the Phoenix Suns and was expected to form a duo with Penny Hardaway. However, injuries would hinder their growth. Despite making the playoffs each year, with Kidd running the point, he was traded to the struggling New Jersey Nets in 2001.

The addition of Kidd to the roster boosted the Nets from being one of the NBA's worst teams to championship contenders. In his first year with New Jersey, Jason Kidd led them all of the way to the NBA Finals. While their season was impressive, the Nets could not match up with the Shaq-Kobe dynamic duo of the Los Angeles Lakers, and were quickly swept from the NBA Finals.

Jason Kidd had another dominant season, in 2003, with the Nets returning to the Finals, but falling two games short of the title. Following the 2003 playoffs, it seemed as if Jason Kidd had gotten as close as he ever would to an NBA championship. Each year, the New Jersey Nets continued to get worse until the again-struggling Nets agreed to trade Jason Kidd to perennial playoff contenders, Dallas Mavericks, his original team. While the Mavericks struggled, losing in the first round, they soon turned things around.

Dallas, itself, has had several disappointing seasons, following their collapse in the 2006 NBA Finals to the surprising Miami Heat. Five years later, the two franchises, with the same faces, Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki and Miami's Dwyane Wade, with new supporting members, Jason Kidd and LeBron James, returned to the Finals, with both teams considering the season a failure if they came short of the title. Despite getting off to a quick start in the series, the Miami Heat faltered under the pressure and Dallas took home their first title.

Seventeen years of hard work and four teams, Dallas twice, has paid off for Jason Kidd and he can now sit back with the other champions of the NBA.

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Ray J speaks on Kim Kardashian cheating Rumors

By Mr. Hollywood
JR Staff Writer

The history between Ray J and Kim Kardashian goes without saying. Had it not been for Ray J, Kim Kardashian would not be nearly as known as she is now. After their sextape leaked, Ray J and Kim Kardashian broke up and she moved on to NFL star, Reggie Bush. As bad as the media wanted to create beef between Ray J and Reggie Bush, they could not.

Due to their hectic schedules, Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush eventually broke up. There were rumors of Kardashian moving on with hip hop superstar, Kanye West. While West and Kardashian did or did not hook up, Reggie Bush was rumored to have moved on with West's on/off lover, Amber Rose.

After Kanye West grew upset with the Kim Kardashian rumors, the media left them alone. Soon, Kim Kardashian revealed she had moved on with NBA player, Kris Humphries of the New Jersey Nets. Last week, it was announced that the couple had gotten engaged. Right after their announcement, NFL player, Bret Lockett said he had a fling with Kim Kardashian while she was still with Humphries.

While the two still plan to wed, there are cheating rumors about Kim Kardashian. Of course, everyone wants to know Ray J's opinion on the situation. Not known as a faithful man, himself, Ray J wished Kim well a long time ago. In response to the Kim Kardashian cheating rumors, Ray J quoted Jay-Z. He said "men lie, women cheat, numbers don't."

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Jay-Z costs the Nets $50,000

By Sports Authority
JR Staff Writer

Throughout his career, Jay-Z has been known as a trendsetter and a marketing genius. In 2004, he surprised fans when he gave up rapping to focus solely on business. Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, purchased a stake in the New Jersey Nets. His intention was to move the team to New York, renaming them the Brooklyn Ites.

The move has been rumored to take place as long as Jay-Z has been a part of the franchise. Despite the stories, the biggest relocation happened this summer. The Nets left their longtime home of East Rutherford and moved to Newark. But, the past two seasons have been rough on the team, as a whole.

For the second straight season, the New Jersey Nets will be among the worst teams in the NBA. This season will mark the fourth straight season in which the Nets will miss the playoffs. Meanwhile, the cross-town rivals, New York Knicks are preparing for the playoffs and has a roster full of all-stars. Jay-Z has decided to focus on making next season more successful and he started scouting.

Jay-Z met up with the Kentucky Wildcats' basketball players during the NCAA tournament. Several photos were taken, as many of the players were starstruck when Jay entered the room. ESPN and other media outlets reported the event. But, soon Jay-Z was being investigated for tampering. The Roc Nation CEO is a part-owner of an NBA team, so he can only get so close to college basketball players. Recently, the NBA ruled the New Jersey Nets have to pay $50,000 for a tampering violation.

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Carmelo Anthony done at Denver?

By Sports Authority
JR Staff Writer

While under the shadow of Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, there was another man drafted in 2003. Carmelo Anthony changed the fortunes of a team in one season. The Denver Nuggets had settled as one of the NBA's worst teams for well over five years. Their fortunes changed when they drafted Anthony.

In one season, Anthony led the Nuggets from the cellar to the playoffs, losing in the first round to Minnesota. The next five years would have similar endings, first round losses. On the other side of the league, however, Dwyane Wade led the Miami Heat to a championship. LeBron James became a two-time MVP.

Even with all their accomplishments, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James teamed up to win titles together. They could not do what Carmelo had done for seven years, make the playoffs each season. It would be the summer of 2010 that forever changed the NBA's landscape. Carmelo Anthony has a guaranteed playoff spot in Denver, but a small chance of winning an NBA championship.

After seeing LeBron James and Chris Bosh jump ship for Miami, Carmelo Anthony has strongly considered leaving his longtime team in Denver. Many people compare Anthony to Kevin Garnett, who stayed with his team despite losing in the first round seven straight seasons. The Denver Nuggets are looking to make space on the roster instead of taking on more contracts. Because of this, it would be better for Anthony's championship dreams if he found a new team elsewhere.

During the summer, the New York Knicks tried to make a deal for him and the New Jersey Nets are currently trying to make a deal for him. In 2006, Carmelo Anthony said he would remain in Denver for the rest of his career. But, after eight years, it is looking like his career will be wasted on a team that is getting worse by the day.

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