5. Chauncey Billups, Denver Nuggets
When it comes to leadership and leading by example, Chauncey Billups might be the best point guard in the NBA. He knows how to win and uses his strength to dominate the action.

4. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
Although he’s getting older, Steve Nash is still a handful. He’s a deadly shooter who is one of the top two passers in the NBA. With the Suns reverting to the run-and-gun style, Nash should have another very good season.

3. Deron Williams, Utah Jazz
Deron Williams can do it all. When healthy and at the top of his game, he shows as much talent as any point guard in the league. The next step for him is to be consistently great.

2. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
Out of all the point guards on this list, Tony Parker has the best history in terms of winning. His elite speed causes headaches and his passing is underrated.

1. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
Right now, it’s not even very close. Chris Paul is far and away the best point guard in the NBA. He mixes skill with competitiveness at a level that is difficult to match in NBA history.

Chris Paul - New Orleans Hornets (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Best Point Guards in the NBA

Parker’s play was extremely limited. After playing the game’s first five minutes, he was on the bench for the rest of the contest. His teammates didn’t have much trouble as they used their superior talent to topple the hot-shooting Finland squad.

After hurting his ankle in an exhibition affair, Parker was eventually ordered back to San Antonio so that Spurs doctors could take a look at the injury. Once he arrived in San Antonio, the Spurs doctors agreed with the French assessment that the injury was minor.

Due to the trip to San Antonio, Parker missed France’s game against Italy. France, even without Parker, was able to hand the Italian national team an 80-77 defeat.

On August 14th, France once again plays Italy.

Tony Parker - France (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Tony Parker Plays for France versus Finland

Parker will remain in San Antonio to begin his rehab. He’s expected to return to Europe next week — as long as his rehab goes well.

France’s first qualifying game is August 5th against Italy. Parker has already been ruled out of that contest. On August 8th, France plays Finland and most indications are that Parker won’t play in that game either. If his rehab his going well, Parker’s first game back with his national team will likely be August 14th against Italy.

Last year, Parker had the best season of his NBA career. He averaged 22 points, 6.9 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game in 34.1 minutes. He shot 50.6% from the field and 78.2% from the free throw line. During his eight years with the Spurs, the 27-year-old Parker has won three NBA championships.

Tony Parker - Spurs (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Tony Parker has Minor Ankle Injury

In his second season in the big leagues, Longoria might be the hottest hitter in the entire game. Against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday, he went 2-for-4 with a walk, three runs and five RBI. In the first inning, Longoria hit a two-run homer that put the Rays up for good. When the bashing was all done, the Rays had a 14-5 victory over the Red Sox.

Helping Longoria bash were Carlos Pena, Pat Burrell, Akinori Iwamura and Ben Zobrist. Each of those hitters finished with two RBI. On the mound, Scott Kazmir gave up three earned runs in five innings to pick up his fourth win of the season and lower his ERA to 5.92.

For the Red Sox, Jon Lester gave up eight earned runs in 4.1 innings and now has a 6.31 ERA on the season. Despite the loss, the Red Sox are still 19-12 on the season, while the Rays are 15-17.

The 23-year-old Longoria is hitting .367 with 11 homers and 44 RBI. The RBI total is the highest in all of Major League Baseball. If he keeps hitting at this pace, he may get his own ABC television show before too much longer.

Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays (Image: Newscom)

Post from: EveryJoe

Evan Longoria Bashes Rays Past Red Sox

The 6-foot-2 guard from France scored 43 points on 18-of-29 shooting from the field. He also had five rebounds, four steals, three assists and a blocked shot. Despite that effort, it wasn’t enough to overcome Dallas’ team play.

For the Mavs, Josh Howard had 28 points and four rebounds, while Jason Kidd chipped in 17 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Dirk Nowtizki and Jason Terry, who are regarded as the two best players on the team, combined for only 22 points on 26 shot attempts.

The next game in this series will be on Tuesday in San Antonio. If the Spurs win that game, the two teams will play Game 6 on Friday in Dallas.

Tony Parker Couldn't do Enough for the Spurs (Image: Newscom)

Post from: EveryJoe

Mavs Beat Spurs Despite 43 from Tony Parker

1. Will the Pistons play at least one game where they act like they care?

2. Is Tyrus Thomas becoming a player right before our eyes or is he becoming a player right before our eyes?

3. Is New Orleans-Denver that much of a mismatch?

4. Is it just me or did Andre Iguodala make one helluva difficult shot in game 1 with Hedo all up in his grill?

Iggy gettin jiggy wit it (Image:Newscom)

5. Wait, did Orlando just leave 53 year old Donyell Marshall all alone again?

6. Does it bother you to see Kevin Garnett continually say potty mouth type things on the sideline after each big Celtic play…?

7. Or make goofy faces?

8.  Or that the cameraman seems to always focus in on him, like, expecting him to say something more family friendly the next time?

9. Did Tony Parker just decide to take over the Mavs series because I was too busy watching him make layups to tell?

10. Is it just me or does Jeff Van Gundy become more tolerable and dare I say more lovable as time goes on?

Post from: EveryJoe

NBA Playoff Observations Thus Far

Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs (Image: Newscom)

In recent weeks, Duncan has been sporting a pair of knee braces. Against the Utah Jazz, Duncan only had on one knee brace.

“It is basically gone,” said Duncan, talking about the pain in his right knee, “so it was good to be out there without a brace on and kind of play well.”

In 31 minutes of action versus the Jazz, Duncan finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and two assists. The Spurs, led by Tony Parker’s 31 points, seven rebounds and six assists, were able to win the game by a final score of 105-99.

Even if Duncan does heal in time for the playoffs, the Spurs still are in a major hole after the news hit that Manu Ginobili is out for the season. For Duncan to win his fifth championship, he’ll need to play better than ever in the postseason.

Post from: EveryJoe

Tim Duncan Injury Update – Feeling Better

Tony Parker of the Spurs carves up the Hawks (Image: Newscom)

On Wednesday night against the Atlanta Hawks, Parker once again proved that point. In 39 minutes, Parker had 42 points and ten assists while making 18 of his 25 shot attempts from the field and all six of his free throws.

With the score tied going into the final period, Parker took over. Using his blinding speed and midrange jumper, the native of France picked apart the Hawks possession after possession. When it was all said and done, the Spurs had posted a 102-92 victory.

Making the win even more impressive is the fact that San Antonio was shorthanded. Duncan missed the game to rest his aching knees, while Ginobili was limited to 12 minutes in his return to the lineup after missing over a month with an ankle injury.

Roger Mason, Jr. chipped in 18 points for the Spurs, while Joe Johnson led the Hawks with 30 points.

Post from: EveryJoe

Tony Parker Erupts as Spurs Top Hawks

True, the super-duper-cutie pie and wife of San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker did pack on a few pounds for her role in Desperate Housewives:

This reminds us: We couldn’t help but notice how all-too-happy co-star Felicity Huffman was to blab about Eva’s fatness. (Yeah, she disguised it as a she-isn’t-preggers commentary but you can almost hear the suppressed glee nonetheless). 

But anyway, this is a picture dated just a few days ago—that is, in the midst of the Big Fat Eva chatter. If this is a chubby gal, then somebody had better give this size 4 bloggerette/gym rat an all-expense paid trip to fat camp.

Images: Used with permission of www.splashnewsonline.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Uh, Does Eva Longoria Parker Look Fat to You?

In no particular order: 

Derek Jeter and Minka Kelly
Hotness: 9.7  Pretty boy + cutie pie=A darn respectable score. 
Likability: 9.0 She OK but hey, he’s a member of the New York Yankees. We’re Boston Red Sox fans. ‘Nuff said.
Endurance Potential: 4.6 Playboy boy + cutie pie=A good time had by all. For a few months anyway.

Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen
Hotness: 9.9 Brady is a doll. Gisele is a supermodel (but we docked her .1  ’cause we think she’s overrated. So there).
Likability: 9.2 We’re all about the New England Patriots, but that Bridget Moynihan baby mama situation was U-G-L-Y. And does anyone really have a sense of Gisele’s personality, anyway?
Endurance Potential: 8.1 These two are jet setters and a paparazzo’s dream, but together forever? Meh, we doubt it.

Marko Jaric and Adriana Lima
Hotness: 9.6 She’s a Victoria’s Secret model (better than Gisele!) and he’s not shabby, either.
Likability: 9.6 She’s a od girl and he’s a good sport.
Endurance Potential: 8.8 They’re engaged, but they haven’t been in the game quite a year yet. We shall see.

David Beckham and Victoria Beckham
Hotness: 9.8 Men’s Health cover boy Beck gets a perfect score; points off for Victoria’s grumpy no-smile policy.
Likability: 9.1 We repeat: Beck gets a perfect score; points off for Victoria’s grumpy no-smile policy.
Endurance Potential: 9.6 They’re solid here, having weathered rumored affairs and dealing with the media. That smokin’ photo shoot they did last year was pretty convincing, too.  

Tony Parker and Eva Longoria
Hotness: 9.7 He’s not too bad and she’s an absolute doll, even with the weight gain and haircut for Desperate Housewives.
Likability: 9.8 He’s a good guy and, TMI tendencies aside, Eva sparkles.
Endurance Potential: 9.4 They’ve survived the rumor mill and crazy schedules. We never say forever in celebrity-land, but they’re A-OK for now.

Dion Phaneuf and Elisha Cuthbert
Hotness: 9.9 No complaints here. Even Elisha likes to check out her own rack.
Likability: 8.3 Maybe if Elisha’s character on 24 hadn’t become so annoying after season 1, we’d give them a higher score.
Endurance Potential: 4.5 Sorry, but PDA aside, Elisha goes through hockey players the way Paris Hilton goes through BFFs. 

Andy Roddick and Brooklyn Decker
Hotness: 9.8 She’s a swimsuit model and he’s a cutie, too, even if we do wish he’d ditch the baseball cap.
Likability: 9.7 We don’t really know her. We do, however, appreciate Andy’s great sense of humor and self-deprecating manner.
Endurance Potential: 8.6 They recently got engaged, but we can’t score them too highly. She’s only 19 and “time will tell” fits these two best.

Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson
Hotness: 9.6 She’s easy on the eyes with classic good looks. He’s not as hot as Tom Brady but is much better looking than Peyton Manning and his putzy little brother, Eli.
Likability: 8.7 Serious deductions here thanks to Jessica’s cheesiness and whining about what people read about her. Further points taken off for her claims to be just like the rest of us.
Endurance Potential: 7.3 Rumors abound about the status of their relationship, which has had more ups and downs than a shot glass in a Warsaw bar. Even if they tie the knot—another source of they will/they won’t rumors—we don’t see it as a forever kind of thing.

Mike Comrie and Hilary Duff
Hotness: 9.4 Decent, but they don’t exactly fog up the camera lens when a shutterbug catches them together.
Likability: 9.7 HD’s long-standing reputation as a good girl is appealing, and the recent interview we read in Allure confirms it. He seems like an OK guy.
Endurance Potential: 8.9 He bought her a Mercedes for her birthday last year, and the Duffster isn’t a serial dater. But forever AND ever?

Reggie Bush and Kim Kardashian*
Hotness: 9.0 Reggie is fine. As for Kim, we don’t care what anyone says. We like curves, but her tush is not as great as she thinks it is.
Likability: 8.4 Again, Reggie is fine. Kim’s responsible for the point dip, between a why-does-she-even-have-it reality show and head-scratching fashion choices.
Endurance Potential: 7.6 They appear to fall in that “it’s fun for now” category rather than the “togethah forevah” one.

* Sadly, we had to include these two, despite our reluctance to refer to Kim Kardashian as a “celebrity.” If Lance Armstrong and Kate Hudson hadn’t taken the Last Train to Splitsville recently, they would have been contenders instead.

Quiet, please. The judge is tallying the scores.

And the winners are . . .

GOLD: Tony Parker and Eva Longoria

SILVER: David and Victoria Beckham

BRONZE: Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen

Congratulations to the winners! Everyone else: Better luck in four years. If you’re still a couple.

**************

In the mood for a contest? Check out our post on the Samsung Fun Club summer promotion!

Photo credit: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Awarding Olympic Medals to Athlete-Celebrity Couples