NBA Players Speak About Obama, Ballers Wearing Jordan Pure Pressure Limited Edition Inaugural Shoes

With the world still reeling from an amazing day in history, the YouTube gods have added this double delicious three minute clip of some of our favorite hoops babes talking about the impact of this election on their lives and that of their kids…Rashard Lewis, Amare Stoudemire, Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler, Phil Jackson and others….

And for those who didn’t get the memo, Lebron watched the inauguration from his hotel room yesterday…in efforts to make sure we knew he was paying attention-he had the media snapping photos of he and his family in the hotel room, predictably, his insanely inflated ego was enough to make me throw up just a little bit…and no, I will never change my opinion of ‘he-who-only-smiles-for-the-camera-when-he-can-make-a-buck-or create-good-publicity-for-himself…

Maybe one day we’ll see our Baller in Chief donning a pair of Jordan Pure Pressure Limited Edition Inaugural Shoes? The kicks were released yesterday in two color schemes- inspired by our sexy Presidents first official day in office, Atlanta Hawk teammates Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson each wore a pair during their game against the Bulls…Made of a white leather upper, the key feature on each shoe is the graphic treatment along the midsole that is loosely based on stars and stripes. Along the tongue of each shoe, you’ll find the date of 1.20.09 stitched in, and below the eye stay sits each player’s personal logo. As usual, we see the ‘Team Dime’ icon on Mike Bibby’s pair, but here we have the debut of Joe Johnson’s personal ‘JJ2′ logo, designed by Justin Taylor. (Sole Collector)

As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com

Inaugurate With Carmelo Anthony as his Foundation is Honored, Hoop It Up with Snoop Dogg, Bid on Kurt Warner’s Ball and Hope Phelps Auctions His Speedo

With President Hot-Stuff ready to be sworn-in, the East Coast parties are being announced. It kills me that I cant be right up in the middle of D.C. for all the action…yes, Jay-Z is hosting a gala-but the event I would chew-my arm off to get to is being thrown by Perennial Sports and Entertainment…included in their “Party With a Purpose: An Inauguration Celebration” series of events is a special night recognizing Carmelo Anthony’s Foundation (as well as Ne-Yo’s Compound Foundation). Details: FRIDAY, JANUARY 16: Denver Nuggets superstar Carmelo Anthony, Grammy Award Winner singer/songwriter Ne-Yo and PSE join to present Artists and Athletes for a Cause. PSE will recognize the Carmelo Anthony Foundation and Ne-Yo’s Compound Foundation and honor the organizations’ efforts to address the challenges facing our nation’s youth. Who: NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony, Honored Guest R&B Recording Artist Ne-Yo, Honored Guest Former MTV Veejay, Lala Vazquez, Host BET and Political Commentator Jeff Johnson, Host. When: 6:45-11 pm Where: House of Sweden, 2900 K St, NW, Washington, DC.

If you live in So-Cal or find yourself in Compton this weekend, you might wanna throw down ten bucks to help out ‘The Stepping Stone’-a new youth center in Compton which helps local kids by teaching ‘em sports and arts and offers academic tutoring. The building has been under construction for sometime and needs just a bit more money to finish it up before it opens this Spring. This event’s garnered a ton of celebrity athletes support, most notably my favorite local Snoop Dogg…joining the Snoop: Warren G, Lil Eazy E, Allen Payne (“House of Payne”), Arlen Escarpeta (“American Dreams”), Brian McKnight, Los Angeles Sparks coach Michael Cooper, two-time NBA All-Star Champion and former Los Angeles Laker Norman Nixon, WNBA Champion and All-Star Game MVP Los Angeles Sparks Center Lisa Leslie, and former NBA players Khalid Reeves (Chicago Bulls Guard), Pooh Richardson (Los Angeles Clippers Point Guard), and Byron Russell (Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets Shooting Guard). The game will take place at 4 p.m. at Compton High School (601 S. Acacia Avenue Compton). Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on the day or by phone at (877) 689-7717.

If you’re a regular, you know I’m a huge supporter of Celebrity Fight Night. Last years honored ‘celebrity’ was LaDainian Tomlinson…this year the Muhammad Ali Sports Leadership Award goes to Kurt Warner. (Check out event details on my calendar of events page). CFN is being held on March 28 in Phoenix, and if the gods are smiling upon me, I will be there again this year because (gulp) they just announced that Michael Phelps is going to be awarded the Muhammad Ali Sports Achievement Award. Additionally, Warner will be featured on a limited-edition commemorative football being produced to help the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The footballs will be available for $99.00 each and only 2,009 will be made…to get one call 800-345-2868 or check out nikosports.com….I am now awaiting word on weather or not Michael Phelps will auction off one of his Speedo’s to benefit my libido. The sexy eight-time gold medallist is currently at a promotional event in Beijing as the spokesperson for Mazda…seen here holding up a Chinese character “Niu” or Ox to mark the upcoming Lunar New Year of the Ox.

As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com

Celebrity Athletes in 2008
2008 has been a great year for some of our favorites. Yes, I made a vow to take the month off but unfortunate I can’t stay away…too many of our guys are out there playing Santa, making cookies with kids and spreading the holiday cheer…I couldn’t possibly cover all the action, just a few memorable moments that made my estrogen spike and my man question my sanity…

Rafa is sitting tight at number one after sending the Swiss Mister down the rankings ladder and finally clinching his spot atop the world rankings…Our kitten Camilo Villegas grabbed a few headlines, several trophies and a shit load of estrogen en route to 2009…Lewis Hamilton became the youngest champion in Formula One history and owned the word “class” while kicking ass in the face of racism…we fell in love with Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt while raising awareness for genocide…Men’s USA Basketball did us proud and brought home the gold…and we, the people, elected one of the hottest ballers alive to be Our President. All in all, I would say a mighty good year.

Ideally, I would elaborate on Carmelo Anthony’s ‘Very Melo Holiday Event’ which was held in Denver…however, I am at a loss for words. Only one comes to mind…Geez-Us. Carmelo Cares people and don’t ever doubt it. “It’s important to me to make a significant impact on the communities that have positively affected me. My family and I are committed to growing my Foundation so that we can continue to help families in need.”

Another Nugget up to do-gooding…Chauncey Billups, along with Ray and Rodney Billups-spread some holiday cheer during a holiday event for families at the Hiawatha Davis Rec Center in Denver.

Shane Battier gets mad props for helping this little kid from Casa De Esperanza pick out some toys during the Houston Rockets Season of Giving in Houston…and gotta give a massive hug to the most underrated ‘giver’ in the League-Ron Artest…Ron-Ron made cookies during the Rockets event and passed out gifts along with Luther Head, Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey…

And this is the fifth year in a row that the NBA has teamed up with ‘Feed the Children’… This years event in Detroit saw five Pistons -Kwame Brown, Allen Iverson, Jason Maxiell, Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace- stepping in as the Fab-Five for this years ‘Miracle in Motown’ where they fed five thousand families…For me, the Pistons embody something that transcends basketball. Off the top of my head I can’t think of any controversy, jail time or scandal involving the Motown boys that would deem them unworthy of praise, so correct me if I’m wrong-until then, they get my vote for sincerity, good will and never saying no when asked to help others.

Have a safe and happy holiday season…remember to check out all the celebrity philanthropy we’re covering at Look to the Stars…have a rocking new year, hug a child and I’ll see ya in (yikes) ’09.

As always, thanks for reading.
Delinda Lombardo

PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA CELEBRATED WORLDWIDE

It wasn’t even close…349-147. When CNN called the election and declared Barack Obama the winner of the 44th Presidential election, it wasn’t just this country celebrating, it was a victory heard around the world.

It was a victory celebrated from the streets of Harlem to the ghettos of Mumbai. It was a victory celebrated among remote villages in Africa to the corners of Kuwait. It was a victory not just for this country, but for peace, for change and for the greater good.

Had McCain won this election, I strongly suspect that the smiling faces we see around the globe this morning would be plastered with disappointment instead of hope. But we did it. We spoke up for a new era. We put our foot down on the dirty hands that have soiled the government and charred the reputation of this country. It has been a long time since I felt proud of being an American. And today I am.

People marching through the streets in foreign countries proudly waving an American flag? Absolutely incredible.

Gotta give mini props to Grandpa though, his speech was fairly impressive-despite the boo’s from his camp each time he said “Obama.” I really hope that those who didn’t vote Obama can see the bigger picture. I hope they can see we’ve elected a man with the potential to put this country back at the forefront of humanity. A man who can reestablish us as fair and righteous, not shallow and despised.

We have the whole world rejoicing along with us…it is indeed a beautiful time to celebrate. But as we do, it’s important to be sensitive to those who have yet to join our camp. There are gonna be a lot of haters attempting to spread hate. Combat them with love…eventually, with enough information, they too may see the truth and get an e-ticket ride to Woodstock Obamastock.

And keeping up with the backbone of my blog-celebrity athletes- please check out ‘Ballers 4 Barack.’

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As always, thanks for reading.
Delinda Lombardo