And yet another day I can write about David Beckham. Yesterday, reports were hot off the press about Becks returning to London. Today, word has spread that Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood insists that the reports linking the Gunners to England captain David Beckham are “absolute nonsense”. Mensa points deducted from Arsenal for using the words “absolute nonsense” in the same sentence as David Beckham. Hill-Wood claimed Beckhams “sale” would go against Arsene Wenger’s recruitment policy to sign such an established name.

“Beckham’s name has never come up at boardroom level and I would be very surprised if Arsene is interested. I am sure he is looking around for players, but for which position I don’t know at the moment…I don’t think going for big names is Arsene’s method,” continued Hill-Wood. “He will buy a young player he thinks is going to fit into his system. He’s not interested in buying a star. We’re playing good enough football to fill the new (Emirates) stadium anyway.” Oh Beckham. We don’t care where you play, just be the hot athlete that you are and stay in front of the cameras as much as possible.

Will they ever kiss and make up?

Stephon Marbury says he’s tired of losing while “trying to play Larry Brown’s way”. Larry Brown says the hot point guard should step up his play.
Marbury said, “No, I don’t have that type of freedom. For me, it’s a problem. I think I can play under the system, but I think also I’ve got to play the way I know how to play.” Playing Browns way, instead of Marburys way, has led to more than a few loses for the Knicks. Marbury said he would be happy and wouldn’t question the coach if they were winning. “But we’re not winning,” he said, “so I can’t condone that.”

“Maybe he’s questioning what he can do. Maybe he’s saying he can do more. That’s the way I look at it,” Brown said. Motioning to a nearby playing court, Brown added: “He’s got a forum. He can put us right on his back and take us to the promised land. We’ve got 20 games.” The Knicks were hot in January, with a six-game winning streak, before Marbury hurt his shoulder. That’s when the drama started and everything changed. “When I came back, things weren’t the same way,” Marbury insisted. Emphatically, he added, “I’m going to go back to playing the way I normally play.”
After last nights game, Marbury cut off a question almost before it began, saying “no comment” when asked whether he played his style. Brown said his approach hasn’t changed all season: “I’ve never given a guard more freedom than Stephon Marbury in my life…I’ve figured him out. I want him to play like he was playing before he was injured. I’m sure his injury has handicapped him a lot. So now, if he’s not talking about his injury and he’s talking about stepping up, that’s great. I’m all for that.”

Perhaps Brown will remind Jamal Crawford that he needs to share the ball, and refrain from crying when another player goes after it?

Nuggets nugget Carmelt-in-my-mouth Anthony and (flashback!) KISS’ Gene Simmons have partnered with IRL team Owner Ron Hemelgarn to sponsor hot rookie driver P.J. Chesson this season.

Anthony would not say how much cash he put down, but a news conference regarding his role is scheduled for tomorrow in Indianapolis, where the Nuggets play the Pacers. Asked if he likes the music of KISS, “Now I do,” said Anthony “I never really listened to them (before). Just seeing their merchandise and listening to them here and there (has given him an appreciation).”

The Rhinestone Mensa reject, former hot NBAer Karl Malone will have a street named after him in Salt Lake City. The “honor” comes in advance of the Jazz’s plans to retire Malone’s jersey in a March 23 ceremony.

So why is Malone a Mensa reject? Athlebrities has learned that Malone is an NRA member for life! Malone uses his athlebrity status and love of hunting to work for firearms freedom. The apple didn’t fall from the tree, as Mama Malone was the one who taught him to shoot. Malone proudly says hunting and fishing are his “favorite pursuits” and he shares this insane hobby with his children, as well as with disadvantaged and at-risk youth through the Karl Malone Foundation for Kids, and Utah Special Olympics. Hence, the Mensa application being rejected. I’m no genius, but should “disadvantaged kids, at-risk communities” and participants of the “Special Olympics” really be taught to shoot? I wonder what the Rhinestone reject thinks of the 76ers? The team has an “anti-violence” campaign which has resulted in a total of 115 operable guns being turned in to the Philadelphia Police Department between February 22-March 1. People who turned in guns received vouchers for two upper-level tickets to selected 76ers games this month.

Cuba is hot!
I’m getting sidetracked from the WBC games by all the drama unfolding off the field. As you know, there have been protests and political nonsense going on during the “Cuban games.” During last night’s game between the Dominican Republic and Cuba in San Juan, Puerto Rico, a group of ten protesters in the crowd spelled out the phrase “Abajo Fidel” (Down With Fidel) across their T-shirts.

As you can see, the “code of conduct” banning political protest is going over well.
Just prior to the t-shirt incident, a single-engine Cessna made two passes over the stadium trailing a banner reading Abajo Fidel. Then, the group of protesters sitting in the second row behind home plate, stood and removed their T-shirts, each printed with one letter that spelled out Abajo Fidel. The top-gun police did NOTHING to halt the demonstration, and when the 10 idiot protesters refused requests by stadium security to leave, officials backed down and allowed the group to stay if they put their shirts back on. Happily, the demonstrators didn’t appear to have the backing of the crowd, most of who were chanting fuera, fuera (get out, get out). Cuban officials told tournament organizers that they would not address the media.

Mr. Mojo, Andy (Im so hot) Roddick cruised into the next round at the Pacific Life Open yesterday after spanking Fernando Verdasco in true Roddick style.

“He’s always tough. We’ve had some real battles before,” Roddick said. “So to get through comfortably, it’s always nice.”

Andre Agassi, on the other hand, lost to Tammy Haas. Agassi: “It’s frustrating. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt good on the court,” Agassi said. “It’s just getting tiring, that’s all.” One word for ya hottie, retire.

Barry Bonds fun time! A national USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll surveyed 478 baseball fans about the hot controversial HOF candidacy of Barry Bonds in light of new allegations of steroid use.

49% said that Bonds should be elected to the HOF and 41% thought Bonds should play this year, compared to 46% that want him to retire and don’t know what they are talking about. More than half displayed a low I.Q. and “believe his records should be taken away … if [MLB] ever concludes Bonds is guilty of taking steroids.” Shall we remind ourselves that Barry isnt the only one who “allegedly” juiced up? Play on Barry.

Madison Square Garden- my favorite hot bed of scandal and sexual harassment.
Yesterday MSG responded to former Anucha Browne Sanders’ sexual harassment lawsuit against the Garden and Knicks President of Basketball Operations Isiah Thomas. MSG said her dismissal “was not retaliatory but was in fact based upon legitimate business reasons,” according to the N.Y. Times. MSG also said that Browne Sanders had “failed to take full advantage of the preventative or corrective opportunities’ provided by the Garden’s policy against workplace discrimination and harassment.” MSG and Thomas have asked for the lawsuit’s dismissal, which we all know won’t happen.

Take me to the islands, pa-leeze!
Sexy Spur Nick Van Exel, Giants WR Amani Toomer, free agent LB Lavar Arrington and 32 other current or former hot pro athletes have teamed up with Denver-based Pronet Capital to finance West Caicos Reserve, a $300M hotel and residential development on an “uninhabited island in the Turks and Caicos Islands.” ProNet is a private-equity firm that works with athletes, entertainers and “other high-income individuals.”

“I’m at the point in my career where I need to be thinking about life after basketball,” said Van Exel, 34. The project will feature a luxury hotel, condos, and single-family and custom-built homes ranging in price from $2.4 million to $8 million. Empty lots start at $850,000. Yo Van Exel, how about throwing an empty lot this way?

The hot centerpiece of this pro athlete haven is a 125-suite Ritz-Carlton spa and resort hotel named Molasses Reef. The development also will feature a 10-acre harbor surrounded by an 18th-century-style village with small shops and cafes. Mark your calendars, and book your flights, Molasses Reef is scheduled to be completed in 2008.

That’s it for now. As always, thanks for reading. Delinda