LaLa Vazquez VS The White Lady?

Seriously, this is beyond ridiculous but I gotta chime in…Melo’s baby mama/fiancé, LaLa Vazquez was thrown out of the American Airlines Center Monday Night while enjoying the visual of her stud muffin hooping it up against the Mavericks. Allegedly, a couple of Dallas fans sitting behind her made racist remarks towards her and her son-the cutest kid in the world, Kiyan Anthony- before chucking ice cubes at them. The altercation was caught on tape and footage begins moments after she and Kiyan were verbally attacked.

But what really happened? One woman, Peggy, claims she was “there” and the incident started when LaLa’s bodyguard turned around and insulted ‘her’ first. I’m not sure I believe this…why would he out-of-the-blue turn around and insult ‘Peggy’ for no reason? She goes on to claim that other fans jumped to ‘her’ defense and it escalated from there and the only time ‘any Mavs fan touched Vazquez was when a girl in Peggy’s group accidentally brushed against her while reaching for a purse underneath her seat.’ “Don’t you ever (beep) touch me again!” Vazquez yelled as she flicked soda on them. (LOL note to LaLa, JuJubes work better and have the sticky factor going for them)

LaLa issued a statement which reads:

LaLa Vazquez became distressed during a heated playoff game, after being verbally attacked by some opposing fans, who were using racial slurs, calling her child crude names and throwing ice cubes. She sent her son home early and was preparing to leave herself when she was physically pushed. Although shaken, she left the premises on her own will and is happy to be at home with her fiancé and child. “Obviously the play-off games bring out the best and the worst in fans but what happened on Monday night with the racial slurs/threats, verbal attacks on my son and physical attacks to myself by irate fans was unacceptable,” states LaLa. “The fans were totally out of control. What the cameras captured was me defending myself and didn’t show the abuse that was taking place.”

So what really happened and who is telling the truth? I, for one, couldn’t care less. (But obviously, I’m biased towards all things Melo.) Regardless, it seems to me that if LaLa took issue with some moronic Mavs fans taunting her (if in fact they did), she should have called security to handle the situation. If, on the other hand, she simply flipped a gasket because someone brushed up against her, then I feel its in Melo’s best interest to find a nice, red-headed-even-tempered-blogger-to make his next baby.

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

Carmelo and Kiyan Anthony

Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals goes to the Nuggets who beat the Mavericks 109-95…the Mavericks are 0-5 against Denver this season, so I hope this series is a lock…that’s all I have to say about the game…because Carmelo Anthony had his son Kiyan at the press conference…and I’m speechless so I’ll let Melo talk and call it a day. “The second half, we buckled down on the defensive end. Everybody manned up, played team defense (and) got in the passing lanes. Our bench did a good job to come off and give us that spark,” said Melo before calling his PR firm to tell them he’d be happy to interview with Delinda at his next charity event.

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

The Aura’s of David Beckham & Carmelo Anthony

Two athletes I wouldn’t mind contracting swine flu from are David Beckham, and of course, Carmelo Anthony. I’ve covered their charity work but today my libido is in dire need of some non-essential objectification of our hotties. After all, this girl can only take so much…

First, Sir Golden Balls-who will be celebrating his birthday this weekend- caught my attention in the new Motorola Aura TV ad…Beckham is hawking the new mobile device, which retails for $2k and has a 62 Carat Sapphire Crystal Lens…

…props to Beckham’s camp for effectively, and continually, using one of the worlds sexiest men to endorse products. If others followed lead, I’d imagine we’d have quite an active ‘stimulus’ plan…speaking of stimulus plans, Carmelo Anthony and his baby blue aura once again have me forgetting my own name.

The Nuggets captured their first playoff series since 1994 after spanking the Hornets 107-86 Wednesday night. After Melo landed a 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter, he turned toward the camera and screamed, “This is my house.” Dear god this kids gonna be the death of me…what else can I say? His career playoff-high of 34 points is certainly impressive but I can only hope that when the Nuggets play the Lakers (exhibition game) this October in San Diego, I will be sitting courtside, trip him ala Larry David to Shaq on Curb, and have him land smack dab on top of me…If not, then perhaps I’ll finally get word from his PR people (a-hem) that Melo would be thrilled to give me an interview about all his amazing work with the kids. And just for the record, I can, in fact, conduct an interview while handcuffed to a chair.

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

Carmelo Anthony’s ‘15 on the 15th Initiative’

It is my goal this year to interview Carmelo Anthony. I mean, come on Melo, how much love I gotta give before I get some back? Don’t make me camp out in front of ‘Studio 51,’ because if I could, I would-especially on Thursdays. And it wouldn’t be in efforts of just a chance meeting with you, it would be to see your work-product. And by ‘work-product’ I mean happy people. Happy-needy-people to be exact.

Melo, through his aptly named Carmelo Cares Foundation, is giving away free haircuts to 15 Denver residents in need. Calling it his ’15 on the 15th’ program, the initiative utilizes Carmelo’s Studio 15 barbershop to provide haircuts to disadvantaged children and underserved adults.

On the 15th day of each month, 15 kids or adults from a community group are chosen by Melo’s Foundation to receive free haircuts at Studio 15. Most recently, folks in need from the Family Resource Center, Denver Children’s Home and Excelsior Youth Center have all benefited from the first three events this year. If you’d like to support the “15 on the 15th” program by sponsoring a month in 2009, please contact the Carmelo Anthony Foundation via email at info@CarmeloCares.org for more details.

And I’ve gotta take a minute to give thanks to the amazing team from Maroon Public Relations. They’re the ones who secure sponsors as well as spread the love about Melo’s latest charitable endeavors.

In the latest edition of Maroon PR’s ‘Insider eNewsletter’ they did a quick 5 question Q&A with the Nuggets Director of Media Relations, Eric Sebastian. For obvious reasons, I chose to reprint one of the questions…

Maroon PR Asked:  It seems that the media’s focus, at times, is strictly on a professional athlete’s game performance, and less on the positive impact they have on the community out-of-uniform. How do you think more attention can be brought to an athlete’s philanthropic efforts, especially in a market like Denver that has a team in each of the four major sports?

Eric Sebastian Answered:  “Well, I think a good deal of the burden rests on the players. The player really needs to be committed to his community. He can’t be half-hearted in his efforts or just think that attaching his name to something is going to bring him recognition. He can also go a long way towards getting the media to cover his philanthropic efforts if he has a good rapport with them. As a PR person, I can only do so much. I can bring attention to programs a player is involved in, but if he doesn’t appear to be genuine about it or if the player doesn’t treat the media with respect, they aren’t going to do him any favors by covering him. There are just too many other athletes in Denver that the media can choose to cover. (Los Angeles Clippers center) Marcus Camby was as adept at this as anyone I’ve worked with. He made time for the media every day – win or lose – and was incredibly involved in the programs he started through his foundation. As a result, the events he did for his foundation received a great deal of coverage and his image was impeccable in town.”

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

Rafael Nadal French Kisses Trophy After BNP Paribas Win

How many nibbles does it take to get to Worlds Number One…We’ve witnessed trophy after trophy earn that precious nibble Rafael Nadal has perfected. And just when I thought it couldn’t get better, our Tapa won the BNP Paribas Open and, correct me if I’m wrong, (gulp) French kissed the trophy. There is a whole lotta ‘oh no she didn’t’ that I could say about this, but I best move on before I earn an X rating…after all, this is supposed to be all about charity right? And as such, the only donation given by Rafa went straight to my estrogen bank, so it fits the bill.

Nadal had no trouble winning his second title in three years at Indian Wells. After defeating Andy Murray 6-1, 6-2, our tapa spoke…anticipating an accent as delicious as his forehand, it pained me a bit to think he’s either brushing up on his English, or this was translated…

“The conditions today were really difficult. But I think I had a good strategy and played a really good match under the conditions,” Nadal cooed. “Probably Andy didn’t play his best because of the conditions, but I think I played a really complete match, moving very well…I never stopped the legs during the match and I think that was the key. Maybe I accepted the conditions a little bit better than him. Maybe I had a little bit more positive attitude than him.”  Gone are the ‘no’s’?  To think we lost them is bad, no? And is also make me happy Rafa make no more capri’s too, no?

Maybe it was your leg speed Rafa, but I think maybe, just maybe, you are simply maturing into one hell of a eloquent, fine, sexy, Spanish tennis monster with incredibly hot wispy hair and a much needed hint of facial hair to accentuate that ice-melting smile…

Vamos Rafael Nadal, Va-mos.

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

Nuggets Versus Clippers Game Auction

On April 4 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, the Los Angeles Clippers will hoop it up against the Denver Nuggets. I don’t know about you kids, but the idea of watching Carmelo Anthony dribble around Baron Davis sounds like a night to remember…aside from a Nuggets win or a squeeze from Melo, the night could only get better if I were with 20 of my friends partying it up in a private suite-for charity of course.

Thanks to the good peeps at Auction Cause, we’ve got another yummy auction on the block, this time benefiting the Starlight Children’s Foundation. The foundation helps seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities…so what better way to raise money for the kids than bid on this amazing package which includes: 20 tickets, 8 parking passes and a private suite filled with food and drink…Suite amenities include: Early access to the suite through the VIP entrance where you might see Melo frolicking around; comfortable seating in extra wide theater style seats in case Melo pops in and wants to sit on your lap; wet bar, refrigerator and ice maker (a-hem, a wet bar?); Cable television and internet access in case you wanna rub it in on Facebook; a personal suite attendant as hot as any Nuggets player; concierge services who will inform Melo when you’ve arrived; and access to the exclusive Club Level and its private restaurants and bars where one can only hope Melo would roll through.

The reason I tell you about these kinds of auctions are simple. Right now, the bidding is ONLY at $500. That may sound like a lot of money, but think about it this way- if you get a group of 20 friends together and go to the game, it comes out to $25 each! For a private suite? It’s a no brainer… if ya bid and win, let me know. Would love to hear if Carmelo Anthony really does stop by and say hello…you never know kids, you just never know, because after all, it is for charity.

On another note, I’d like to petition Auction Cause to add a Dwight Howard experience to the line-up…preferably one with a wet-bar.

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

**Publishing Notice**
I’m taking the rest of the year off!!! See ya in January kids…

STEVE NASH: PATTERSON AWARD

Steve Nash earned some serious love for his philanthropy…but not really sure if anyone noticed? Apparently, Nashty was given the award during a pre-game ceremony at the Sun-Lakers game…maybe the photogs didn’t notice or care but I can’t find any photos…regardless, the Sports Philanthropy Project (SPP) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) presented the 2008 Steve Patterson Award for Excellence in Sports Philanthropy to Nash’s foundation…

“It is an honor to receive this type of recognition for the work that I care about so deeply,” said Nash. “The Steve Nash Foundation is dedicated to assisting underserved children in their health, personal development, education and enjoyment of life. Steve Patterson is the kind of person that always sought out to improve the lives and well being of others and to be awarded in his name is truly an honor. I am humbled by your acknowledgement of our work in the global community. This is just the beginning and we look forward to continuing these efforts and building on the foundation we have established.” The award was created in memory of Steve Patterson, former UCLA basketball star, NBA player and Arizona State University college coach, who died of cancer in 2004 and believed in and practiced the power of sports philanthropy. Carlette Patterson, President of Patterson Sports Ventures. “My husband spent his life building partnerships on and off the court, and we hope his life and legacy will inspire more and more sports teams and athletes who have the power to create substantial change in their own backyards. The fact that Steve Nash will receive his award for work here in the same community in which my husband Steve and our family lived and worked and cherished makes it that much more meaningful.”

I LOVE MADAME TUSSAUDS

The latest hormone tickler from Madame Tussauds is Washington Wizard babe Gilbert Arenas…his ‘figure’ was unveiled yesterday at the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Washington D.C., and Arenas took along 50 kids from his Zer0 to Her0 Foundation….”It is an honor to join the ranks of sports icons such as Muhammad Ali and Tiger Woods by being immortalized in wax at Madame Tussauds Washington D.C.,” Arenas said. “Like the Wizards, Madame Tussauds has become a fixture in the nation’s capital and one that I’m proud to be a part of.” Now, I don’t know how or if I qualify for the job, but I’d like to take a stab as one of the artists who create these treats…Gil sat for over two hours while the ‘artists’ took hundreds of (a-hem) measurements and photos, as well as selected eye, hair and skin tone matches for his figure…artists even insert each strand of hair individually…the creation of Arenas’ figure’s head took nearly five weeks to complete.

CARMELO ANTHONY PARTIES IN LA WITHOUT ME

Last night, celebrities, artists and professional athletes hit up Siren Studios in Hollywood to celebrate Carmelo Anthony and Jordan Brand’s launch of the Jordan Melo M5 basketball shoe…luckily, I wasn’t not able to attend, if I had, I suspect I wouldn’t have made it passed the “unique images of Carmelo’s daily life off the court, including candid imagery of Carmelo taking breaks between games, interacting with his fans and just enjoying life.”…The black-carpet event replicated a modern art gallery opening…adding to the modern art feel was Kenyon Martin, Chauncey Billups and J.R. Smith. “Tonight’s event means a lot to me because the M5 is my fifth shoe and any time you can be associated with a brand like Jordan it’s special. The shoe fits me and my game so well and it’s my favorite shoe of them all since I’ve been a part of the process since day one.” For more info visit Nike.com and trust me when I say the splash page is a must see for all Sweet Melon lovers.

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As always, thanks for reading.
Delinda Lombardo

Tattoos, Obama, Land Mines, Dry Ice, A Very Sad Swiss Mister and a Naked Tapa?

My libido is clashing with my goal to write about charity stuff…so I defer to my hormones…yes, I am still crushing hard on Obama…and I’m loving the support our sexy new Prez is getting from some of our balling babes…Wizards beast Gilbert Arenas got some cool ink on his digits…talk about creating a ‘let-your-fingers-do-the-walking’ fantasy (post-manicure pa-leeze!)…but perhaps my favorite tribute (to date) comes from Sweet Melon who’s got my marshMelo’s standing at full attention. Not sure what he said because he keeps licking his lips and distracting me…

Poor Roger Federer

Despite the dry ice and on court massage, Roger Federer could not get by Andy Murray. Day six of the ATP Masters Cup in Shanghai…Murray won the match 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 to eliminate Federer from the tournament…seriously; I am starting to feel kinda bad for the Swiss Mister…

Baltic Soccer Stadium

I, for one, would think twice about attending the Baltic Arena soccer stadium in Poland…the stadium is being built for the Euro 2012 Cup but prior to any building being done, they sent out a gaggle of “sappers’ from an explosives company to test the ground for any remaining World War II explosives…And to everyone in Poland who didn’t think this was funny, I meant no disrespect.  Trust me, even if they did NOT send in the “sappers” I would still attend a Euro Cup match in the stadium!

Enjoy the weekend…maybe go for a sail? While I’m not one to run photos of our hotties naked, I cant help but post this one of Rafael Nadal ala natural…vamos indeed.

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As always, thanks for reading.
Delinda Lombardo