U.S. VS ITALY
Yesterday was pretty confusing for those of us obsessed with hot Italian men, the US team, and basketball. In the end, the Italian beasts weren’t able to overpower Carmelt-in-my-mouth-Anthony and his fine posse of teammates. Validating my Melo obsession, the Nugget scored a record 35 points, lifting the US to first place in its group, with a 94-85 win. “That’s probably the toughest game we had in international play so far,” Anthony said. “We’re used to beating teams by 20, 25 points in the two previous games. You come into this game thinking, ‘OK, we’re going to try to beat them by 25.’ When we thought like that, they almost were up 25 in the first half.”

The US will face the fourth-place team from Group C on Sunday. “Carmelo was amazing,” Elton Brand said. “He got hot, and he’s that type of scorer. He can shoot from anywhere.” And yes, I got thrown out of the game after Melo licked his lips and I attacked his shorts.

Jo Johnson loses major Mensa points for blocking what would have been an incredible photo of Italy’s Gianluca Basile’s face.

BACKYARD BBQ’S WITH THE BUCKS
The Milwaukee Bucks are holding a series of “backyard barbecue” events as part of their “push to increase” season-ticket sales. The barbecues are held at the homes of season-ticket holders with about 12-15 friends and neighbors and include a “20-minute season ticket sales pitch.”

Sounds a bit lame to host a BBQ to push ticket sales. I would suggest to the Bucks that they toss a hottie into the mix? How about an Andrew Bogut BBQ? This fine 7’0 beast is currently looking extremely marketable as a sex symbol while playing for team Australia. Send him my way with a spatula and an apron and I’ll buy season tickets for the rest of my life.

STILL REBUILDING

Its really sad that we are ‘still rebuilding’ New Orleans. Actually, it’s really sad that “we” haven’t rebuilt it but in fact, the hotties are rebuilding it. Yesterday, Jordan Brand and still sexy boxer Roy Jones Jr. helped build a house in the 9th Ward region of New Orleans, and Jordan Brand gave $450,000 to the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity. The money was raised during a special auction held by Michael Jordan during the NBA All-Star weekend in Houston in February. Jordan Brand President Larry Miller said, “Every year the NBA All-Star (Game) is in a different city, and what we intend to do at every city we go into is not just do an event, but to really try to leave something behind. This year it just made a lot of [sense] to try to do something with the hurricane.” Next year, the All Star game will be held in Las Vegas, I wonder what they’ll leave behind there?

BASEBALL HOTTIES
I realize that I’ve been ignoring the fine men who play baseball. The World Cup messed with my libido, golf tourneys galore, tennis studs and now the International basketball games. I simply haven’t been giving enough love to the fine men who make up MLB. So now I’ll give up some love to David Ortiz, aka Big Papi.

How can you not love someone called Papi? I guess if you’re a Yankee or a Mets fan it’s easy, but I gotta say, those Red Sox fans are tenacious. The boys who brought you Keepmanny.com have launched another site, this time urging you to sign a petition voting for Big Papi as MVP. Jeff Guinee, one of the masterminds behind the site and possibly the greatest Red Sox fan on the planet, writes: “His play at times is unexplainable. His flair for the dramatic is mystifying. His smile is simply infectious. Fans of all ages adore him. Major League players dream of being like him. He’s larger than life. He’s the face of baseball. He’s this year’s undeniable MVP. No DH has ever been named MVP. Don’t you think it’s time we change that? Please show the baseball sportswriters of America who the fan’s choice for this year’s MVP award is by signing the petition.” Papi gets my vote for several reasons-mainly because he generates this kind of love and dedication from his fans. That speaks volumes about the man. My other two voter clinchers: the way he hugged Pudge Rodriguez, and because when he’s side-by-side with Manny, my mind spirals into a delicious soul food fantasy. Check out the new site and vote for this yummy beast @ www.papimvp.com.

NFL SIDELINE HOTTIES

Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, Jason Taylor, and Keyshawn Johnson remind us why we don’t get too caught up in the “games” and much prefer to focus on the side lines.

BILL CLINTON FALLS ASLEEP AT THE GAME!

Bill Clinton remains the sexiest President to ever grace the Oval office, (just ask sister on the far left)…and during yesterdays Cardinals-Mets game, we got to nap with the former leader. According to the NY Daily News, “Clinton was caught by television cameras napping in the front row behind home plate, with the Mets staging a rally no less. Cameras panned to the snoozing 42nd president, his eyes closed and his head implanted into his left hand.” Gotta say, Im okay with this. Why? Because look at his “I just woke up from a great nap” face…when are we ever gonna get to see that again? Sorry peeps, I know it’s the Mets, but I can’t deduct Mensa points.

Ask D&D questions to: delinda@athlebrities.com OR debbie@athlebrities.com

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